Telecommunications: operator number portability and carrier pre-selection

The Commission modified its proposal, taking over the single amendment proposed by the European Parliament intended to extend the scope of the deferment clause referred to in Article 20(2) of Directive 97/33/EC. This clause allows flexibility for the date of implementation of number portability in cases where Member States can prove that this would impose an excessive burden on the operators concerned. The amendment extends the deferment clause to carrier pre-selection. Under this clause, temporary deferment may be granted by the Commission on the basis of objective arguments and taking account of the particular situation in the Member State and the need to ensure a coherent regulatory environment at Community level. �