Italy

[IT] Renewal of Concessions for Local Television Broadcasting

IRIS 2000-2:1/12

Maja Cappello

Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (AGCOM)

On 14 January 2000, the Italian Parliament converted into law the decree-law no. 433 of 18 November 1999 containing urgent provisions on local radio and television broadcasting (Gazz. Uff. no. 1999/273). Article one postpones the deadlines for concessions already granted to local television broadcasters according to law no. 78/99 (see IRIS 1999-4: 8) until their renewal under the new frequency plan (see IRIS 1998-10: 2 and IRIS 1999-8: 8) and in any event not later than 31 January 2001. Applications must be made before 30 June 2000. Article two of the Act defines the relevant areas for local broadcasting according to Italy's geographic division into regions and provinces, whereas the actual number of broadcasters will be fixed by the Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (Italian regulatory authority in the communications sector) before 29 February next. Pursuant to the above-mentioned law no. 78/99 the national radio frequency plan will be adopted before 30 November 2000. Meanwhile, the Autorità is allowed to assign frequencies only to so-called radio comunitarie (radios with social purpose). In order to avoid dominant positions in the local broadcasting sector it is not permitted to apply for more than one concession in the same region or province. Two concessions are allowed only in the case of neighbouring local areas or where the same broadcaster already has been assigned two concessions at the time of the approval of the Act.