Peter Davies Licensing Adviser

The Ending of the Individual Licensing Regime All individual telecommunications licenses cease on 25 July 2003 Replaced by a general authorisation and general and special conditions No prior approval required for it: –Operating of electronic communications networks – providing of electronic communications services.

The New European Legislation The Framework Directive The Authorisation Directive

Draft Communications Bill Intended to implement the EC legislation Timing is a problem. We cannot rely on the Bill Probably need to use regulations under the European Communities Act.

After 25 July 2003 No individual licences A process of notification But no prior approval Extends to all electronic communications networks and services, not just telecommunications cont/...

After 25 July 2003 Cont…. Telecommunications, broadcasting, data etc as one converging market Operators and service providers will be required: –to notify designated networks/services –pay administrative charges –abide by the conditions.

Administrative Charges These will replace licence fees Criteria set out in Article 12 of the Authorisation Directive Need to make some transitional arrangements Could be two sets of legislation: –one for the EC directives –one for the Communications (Act).

Other Authorisations Individual authorisation still required for: radio spectrum numbers Electronic Communications Code

Transitional Arrangements Agreements or arrangements which have been entered into: –In reliance on –or by reference to –individual licences For example wayleaves or interconnection agreements Cont/….

Transitional Arrangements cont/…. Parties to those agreements should be in the same position after the individual licensing regime ends Provision needs to be made in the regulations for this Comments have been sought by DTI Vital that all the types of agreements and arrangements are identified.

The New Electronic Communications Code Will extend to all electronic communications networks No longer linked to individual licences Grants of the code will stand alone May be an annual fee for the use of the code

Numbers Oftel will consult further on detailed rules for numbering National Numbering Plan referred to in conditions as set out in the Bill Will cover the rules under which numbers are allocated, withdrawn etc Aspects of the conventions relating to guidance alone Guide to numbering.