MILAN -(Dow Jones)- Italy's AGCOM telecommunications regulator said Wednesday it has started a formal evaluation of the list of commitments submitted by Telecom Italia SpA (NYSE:TI) (TI) in order to guarantee its competitors easier and equal access to its network.

In a statement issued after a meeting with Telecom Italia Chief Executive Franco Bernabe, AGCOM said Italy's former monopoly will have two months to integrate its proposal. The plan will then be submitted to public consultation with Italy's alternative operators and AGCOM will take a final decision at the end of the process.

Telecom Italia's (NYSE:TI) rivals said earlier Wednesday in a joint statement that the former monopoly's commitments are insufficient and they asked Italy's regulator to guarantee real competition in the Italian market.

-By Giada Zampano, Dow Jones Newswires; +39 02 58219901; giada.zampano@ dowjones.com

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   06-25-08 0746   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.