Telecommunications Act Licences

Helen Hicks

Oftel

Typical TAct licences

• Cordless Class Licence (mobile only)

• Telecommunications Services Class Licence (fixed only)

• Public Telecommunications Operator (Mobile or Fixed) individual licence

• Other individual licences

Typical obligations (1)

• Technical (equipment, interfaces, interconnection)

• Privacy, confidentiality, and metering

• Access to emergency and operator services

• Customers (contracts, charges, terms & conditions, billing)

Typical obligations (2)

• Numbering (incl. Portability)

• Services (e.g. CLI)

• Provide information to Oftel

• SMP designated operators

• Code powers (only available with individual licences)

Changes to licensing regime

• New EC Directives (Framework, Access, Authorisation, Universal Service) in force 24 April 2002

• Implement in UK by 25 July 2003• All individual licences abolished• Prior approval not required• General conditions of entitlement• Electronic communications networks and

services

Useful documents

• Licensing guidance on DTI website

• The general conditions of entitlement consultation (A consultation issued by the Director General of Telecommunications on the draft general conditions of entitlement to provide electronic communications networks and electronic communications services, 22 May 2002. http:www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/licensing/2002/enti0502.htm)

• FAQs on the regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol services (http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/internet/2002/voip0402.htm)

• Consultation on guidelines on the essential requirements for network security and integrity, and on criteria for restriction of access to the network (http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/ind_guidelines/esre1201.htm)

• Other consultations and guidelines