YNOT EUROPE – Italy is destined to succumb to the bureaucracy. And when it comes to the internet and its regulations, the issue gets worse exponentially.

While waiting for a ruling on the new Agcom Rules governing web TV — which will subject the technology to greater controls and economic burdens — a small note from the 22 October decree of the Council of Ministers could make create even more of a digital divide in Italy.

According to the decree, anyone who installs a device connected to a public communication network must register the connection. The rule applies to routers, switches and so on. Otherwise, you will pay a fine that can range from 15 thousand to 150 thousand euros.

The connection must be performed by qualified professionals to be approved. Registration does not yet exist, so a new system will have to be created. So must definitions for “qualified professional” and qualified firms.

At present there is no choice: Either deal with increased bureaucracy and costs, or pay hefty fines.

In principle, such an order should be the implementation of EU Directive 63/2008 on competition in markets for telecommunications terminal equipment, which requires the liberalization of the sector and control of equipment in a way that meets European shared standards.

In general practice, the two decrees seem light years away.