Commission communication on universal service in telecommunications
The European Commission has published a communication on "Universal service for telecommunications in the perspective of a fully liberalized environment". In the context of the Community's policy of establishing full competition in telecommunications markets by 1998, and the Directive on open network provision (ONP) in voice telephony, the Commission has undertaken wide consultation on the security of universal service. The present communication, which results from these consultations, has three aims: - To describe the current concept of universal service in telecommunications, both in terms of the regulatory framework and in terms of the current level of universal service provision in the Member States; - To address practical issues and propose solutions and action for the future development of universal service; - To place universal service for telecommunications in the broader context of the Information Society. The communication discusses various aspects of universal service provision, including the issues of affordability and quality of service provided. Universal service is also recognized as essential in the development of the global Information Society and the communication discusses the issues of access to advanced information services. Annexes to the communication include a timetable for action up to 1998 and the results of a survey, conducted in 1995, which analysed Member States' provision of universal service and the standards of services provided.