Electronic communications: authorisation of networks and services

Of the four amendments tabled by the European Parliament following the second reading of the Authorisation Directive, all have been accepted fully by the Commission. The Council too has decided to accept the wording of the four amendments.They refer to: - New wording regarding the payment arrangement of one-off usage fees for radio frequencies. - Introduction of a new paragraph limiting the restriction or withdrawal of rights to install facilities and including a reference to possible compensation in such cases. - The creation of a transparency register regarding rights to install facilities. - Introduction of an additional transition period for cases where the new authorisation regime would lead to a reduction of rights or an extension of obligation. This has now been shortened from 12 to 9 months. Having agreed to the four Parliamentary amendments the conciliation committee does not need to be invoked. Adoption of the Regulation is expected at the beginning of 2002 following verification of the texts by jurist-linguists.�