Telecommunications: open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony, and universal service

Of the 17 amendments adopted by the European Parliament in second reading, the Commission accepts 14 either in full, in part or in principle. The Commission accepts in their present form those amendments which: - strengthen consumer protection; - improve the clarity of the text relating to the rules governing the provision, costing and financing of the universal service; - are in keeping with the position of the Commission in respect of commitology; - specify special access to the network. In addition, the Commission has come to an agreement with the European Parliament on the principles which underlie the amendments relating to the following points: - operators likely to provide the universal service; - improved access by disabled users to telecommunications services; - the transitional measure to be applied until the number portability service becomes available; - the inclusion of the public text telephone in the definition of the public pay-telephone; - alternative formats for itemised billing for blind and partially-sighted people; - the option for Member States to request the provision of additional facilities, provided that these are not financed by a contribution from market operators. The Commission rejected those amendments relating to the following aspects: - the rights of users and consumers; - the rules governing the provision, costing and financing of the universal service (amendment of the current definition of the universal service); - European guidelines on the concept of affordable price. �