MILAN -(Dow Jones)- Telecom Italia SpA's (NYSE:TI) (TI) rivals said Wednesday in a joint statement that the former monopoly's commitments to provide easier access to its network are insufficient and they asked Italy's regulator to guarantee real competition in the Italian market.

The joint statement was signed by Italy's seven alternative operators, including the U.K.'s BT Group PLC (NYSE:BT) (BT), Vodafone Italia (VOD), Tiscali SpA (Milan:TIS) ( TIS.MI), Wind SpA and Fastweb SpA (Milan:FWB) (FWB.MI).

Telecom Italia's (NYSE:TI) board has recently approved a proposal to improve the access of alternative operators to its fixed-line network through a series of concrete measures.

Telecom Italia Chief Executive Franco Bernabe is meeting Italy's regulator AGCOM Wednesday in Naples to discuss the proposal.

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

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   06-25-08 0651   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.