AGCOM-AGCM JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Memorandum of Understanding between the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM) and the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM)
on consumer protection in electronic communications markets

The Chairman of the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM), Angelo Cardani, and the Chairman of the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM), Giovanni Pitruzzella, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on unfair commercial practices.
This MoU follows the similar ones already concluded pursuant to Article 27, paragraph 1 bis, of the Consumer Code, in order to regulate the application and procedural aspects of cooperation on consumer protection with the Italian Transport Regulation Authority, the Institute for the Supervision of Insurance, the Bank of Italy and the Italian Regulatory Authority for Electricity Gas and Water, each within its sphere of competence.
This MoU, which incorporates the previous Framework Memorandum of Understanding of 22 May 2013 on cooperation between the ICA and the AGCOM, will enable enhanced coordination between the two Authorities, in full compliance with the principles of autonomy and independence, and therefore ensure increased effectiveness of their powers for consumer protection in their relations with communication companies and service providers.
This will be achieved in particular through:
- the coordination of institutional interventions, even in the pre-investigation phase, on areas of common interest;
- the ICA reporting to the AGCOM any suspected infringement, by operators, of rules the application of which is entrusted to the AGCOM, in the context of proceedings falling within ICA’s competence;
- the AGCOM reporting to the ICA any suspect of unfair commercial practices in the electronic communications sector emerged in the context of proceedings falling within the AGCOM’s competence;
- the establishment of a permanent Implementation Working Group to promote debate on consumer protection issues of common interest;
- the mutual exchange of data, documents and information on proceedings initiated by each of the Authorities.
The document in its entirety can be consulted at www.agcom.it and www.agcm.it.

Rome, 13 January 2017