Rivista del Diritto Commerciale e del diritto generale delle Obbligazioni

Abstract: The spin-off of the TIM network and the restructuring of the TLC market through regulation and competition - This paper analyzes the radical changing of the competitive land­scape of fixed-line communication services following the sale of TIM’s primary and secondary networks to the KKR Group, thereby ending the vertical integration between the operator with significant market power in wholesale access and the dominant operator in the retail services market. The paper examines the new regulatory framework imposed on FiberCop, designated as a “wholesale-only” operator, and also analyzes the anti-competitive effects of the commercial agreement concluded between the parties involved in the transaction, which concerns the terms for providing wholesale market access services, recently autho­rized by the Italian Competition Authority. Finally, the essay discusses the potential consequences of the evolution of next-generation network markets in oligopolistic terms.  

Summary: 1. La cessione della rete Tim: la vicenda. – 2. Questioni regolatorie: l’operatore wholesale only nel Codice europeo delle comunicazioni elettroniche. – 3. Segue. La qualificazione di FiberCop come operatore wholesale only e gli obblighi regolamentari nel mercato dell’accesso. – 4. Segue. La valutazione della posizione di Tim e gli obblighi di verifica di replicabilità delle offerte. – 5. Questioni concorrenziali: il Master Service Agreement e il divieto di intese restrittive. – 6. Prospettive concorrenziali nel mercato delle infrastrutture di rete fissa.  

Keywords: Telecomunications market — Demerging of the incumbent operator — Competition and regulatory issues.