ROME, April 3 (Reuters) - Italy's competition authority

(AGCM) has closed its investigation into Otis, it said

on Thursday, after the U.S. elevator maker said it would refund

Italian customers to the tune of around 1.45 million euros ($1.6

million).

The company agreed to the payment without admitting any

guilt, AGCM said in its ruling.

The regulator's investigation over alleged unfair commercial

practices had been launched in October.

Otis was accused of installing devices on elevators that

offered extra services for a fee without the explicit consent of

customers, failing to meet deadlines for new installations, and

handling maintenance and renovation requests inadequately.

The agreed refunds will benefit about 7,700 customers,

including private residents' associations and small businesses,

AGCM said in a statement.

In addition, the company agreed to abstain from installing

on its lifts any accessories that entail the payment of an

additional fee without the express consent of customers, and to

improve its customer service.

($1 = 0.9080 euros)