MILAN, Oct 26 - Italy's competition authority (AGCM) has

opened an investigation into U.S. elevator maker Otis

Worldwide's ( OTIS ) Italian business over alleged unfair

commercial practices, the watchdog said on Friday.

Otis is suspected of having installed on elevators devices

that offer services for a fee without explicit consent from

customers, AGCM said in a statement.

The company may also have failed to meet deadlines for new

installations and handled maintenance and renovation requests

inadequately, the competition watchdog said.

"We are aware of the investigation and are cooperating with

the authority," Otis said in an emailed statement, adding it

could not comment further given it is an ongoing legal matter.

Officials from the competition authority and members of

Italy's tax police have inspected several Otis offices in Italy

as part of the investigation, AGCM said.

(Reporting by Gianluca Semeraro;

Editing by David Goodman and Valentina Za)