PERUGIA 18 OCTOBER
The battle of local operators in Umbria continues against the substantial modification of regional law 31/2013, which occurred with the council resolution DGR n. 437 of 12/05/2021. A law that, among other things, effectively eliminated the exemption for providers from fees for crossing regional public land for the laying of optical fiber:
"The resolution has dismantled law 31/2013, thus creating enormous damage to local PAs and also to communication operators, especially those in proximity," denounces Giovanbattista Frontera, vice president of Assoprovider.
The removal of exemptions is not the only amendment to the law that:
- It no longer allows the Umbria Region to take an active role in harmonizing regulations and rules for underground/aboveground telecommunications infrastructure, both at the provincial and municipal levels;
- Abolish the telecommunications council, a body that allowed for permanent dialogue with stakeholders;
- It no longer automatically allows all operators to have access to rent the over 600 km of regionally-owned fiber.
- Remove the exemption from paying the public land occupation tax of the regional state property for the laying of fiber by operators.
"Despite the countless attempts to obtain clarifications on the amendment to the Second Permanent Commission for economic activities and territorial governance, we have never been heard in the context of a hearing," continues Frontera.
Yet the law that has been amended, and to whose drafting Assoprovider contributed, would remain an effective tool to improve connectivity services for citizens and also allow for the attraction of funds for the telecommunications sector in Umbria, especially in light of the PNRR.
"We are surprised and irritated. We do not understand the reasons for the abdication by the Umbria Region in co-legislating in telecommunications with the central State and the premature amendment of the law given the ongoing transposition of the European Communications Code, currently underway in the Senate," concludes Frontera.
Who is Assoprovider: An independent association of companies that operate as Internet Service Providers (ISP). Founded in July 1999, it aims to combat the power dynamics and division of large carriers and telephone companies. The association, which today includes about 245 companies in the Internet Services and connectivity sector, aims to promote the harmonious development of the Internet in Italy. In particular, it seeks to contribute to bridging the gap that still separates us from the most digitized nations and to help Italy become a key player in the global Internet development process. Info: Info: https://assoprovider.it/
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