Telecommunications : competitive environment (amend. Directives 90/387/EEC, 92/44/EEC)

Anticipating liberalization of the telecommunications sector, the committee considered that it was essential to tighten up the definition of leased lines and ensure number portability, i.e. the ability of a customer to retain his telephone number even if he changes networks. The requirement to change telephone number when changing network operator could involve extra cost and hence act as a brake on genuine competition. In addition to these two technical aspects of the amendment of certain directives aimed at adapting the telecommunications sector to future liberalization, the committee (rapporteur: Fernand HERMAN (EPP, B)) also adopted four amendments dealing with the more political aspects: the independence of national regulatory authorities, clearer rules for the financing of universal service (the Commission is asked to submit a draft directive by 31 January 1997 on the costing and financing of universal service), the establishment of a European Regulatory Authority and committee procedure.