ONP and voice telephony: Commission amended proposal
An amended proposal for a Council Directive on the application of Open Network Provision (ONP) to voice telephony (COM(93) 182) sets out a number of amendments based on those introduced by the European Parliament at its first reading. In the areas of the text where amendments are made, the original Commission proposal is set out together with the modified proposal. In general, reference is now made to the role of the national regulatory authorities in the control of numbering plans, the surveillance of usage conditions and the resolution of disputes as well as in ensuring that users are given fair treatment throughout the Community. The provision of other voice telephony service features should not impede the provision of the basic voice telephony service and should not lead to unreasonable price increases. Procedures must also be introduced to provide a balance between the rights of users and the justified concerns of the telecommunications organizations. National authorities shall keep available and submit to the Commission on request details of individual cases where access to or use of the public telephone network or voice telephony service has been restricted or denied, including the measures taken and their justification. Adoption of the Directive is viewed as a crucial step towards harmonization in this sector since these services represent the largest activity, both in size and economic importance, of telecommunications operators. The objectives are to: - Establish the rights of users of voice telephony services in relation to telecommunications operators; - Improve access for all users, including service providers, to the public telephone network infrastructure; - Encourage Community wide provision of voice telephony services.