WRITTEN QUESTION P-2607/99 by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Telecom Italia S.p.A's Audiotel services.
C 225 E/184 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 for existing beneficiaries be raised to any increased amounts for new beneficiaries. However, such raise must be duly justified by the circumstances of the Member State concerned. The increase of maximum amounts eligible for Community support in the new Council Regulation does not as such justify an increase in payments under existing commitments. (1) OJ L 160, 26. 6. 1999. (2) OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992. (2000/C 225 E/204) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2607/99 by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission (22 December 1999) Subject: Telecom Italia S. p. Aís Audiotel services Telecom S. p. A has the monopoly in Italy on Audiotel services which provide subscribers with useful services such as advice by telephone, information on various subjects and counselling. Does the Commission intend to allow Telecom to abuse its monopoly by paying the bills of the companies providing these services if and when it pleases, even postponing indefinitely the payment of large sums of money on the ground of general irregularities? One wanders who will benefit in cases like this where the service companies adversely affected do not even have the opportunity to vindicate themselves and are likely to go bankrupt, thus leading to the loss of jobs. Does the Commission intend to look into the fact that, by letter of 21 October 1999 (Reference No 0028084-01), Telecom Italia S. p. A. of Via Dalmazzo 15, Turin stopped the payment of the sum owed since 1 August 1999 to the undertaking Publiline S. r. l. of Via Antiche Fornaci 66, Cremona, Italy? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (20 January 2000) Audiotel services (audiotex) were deregulated in Italy by General Decree on Authorisations No 420/95. However, the provision of restricted access services must be subject to special conditions. The Commission has stepped in on several occasions to urge the Italian authorities to make such conditions public promptly, in order to enable audiotel companies to provide their services, and it is continuing to monitor the situation. However, a number of companies are currently providing audiotel services via the Telecom Italia network (numbers starting with 166 and 144). Telecom Italia bills the customers and pays part of the amount charged to the service provider. Publiline is one such service provider. According to the Commissionís information, Telecom Italia did indeed suspend payment to Publiline of sums charged to its subscribers in accordance with one of the conditions laid down in the contract between the two companies. It seems that the telecommunications company brought this case before the Italian courts. In principle, the Commission does not intervene in cases pending before national courts. However, national courts can consult the Commission on points of law relating to the application of competition rules the Commission notice of 13 February 1993 on cooperation between national courts and the Commission in applying competition rules (1). in cases brought before them, as stated in paragraph 38 of (1) OJ C 39, 13. 2. 1993