TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERCONNECTION REGULATION

1. TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERCONNECTION REGULATION MAMOUN BALQAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY COMMISSION TRC JORDAN

2. INTERCONNECTIONREGULATION • WHY? • WHEN? • HOW?

3. WHYREGULATE INTERCONNECTION • To ensure full network connectivity and interoperability • To provide conditions for fair competition • To create conditions for attracting investment in order to stimulate infrastructure growth and service innovation • To create conditions for good faith commercial negotiations between interconnecting parties • To minimize ongoing regulatory intervention • To protect the interests of end users

4. WHENTO REGULATE INTERCONNECTION • When the telecom sector is liberalized and new licensed operators are introduced. • When the incumbent operator refrains from satisfying the interconnection needsof newcomers.

5. HOWTO REGULATE INTERCONNECTION (The Style) • Ex-ante regulation is more suitable for markets with dominant incumbents and limited competition. • Advance regulatory guidelines and specific interconnection rules are necessary to facilitate successful negotiations between operators. • Ex-post regulation is more suitable for highly competitive markets and reasonably even distribution of market share.

6. HOWTO REGULATE INTERCONNECTION (The Steps) • Ensure Legal Authority • Define Interconnection • Establish Interconnection Principles • Issue Interconnection Guidelines • Select Designated Licensees • Agree Reference Interconnection Offers (RIO) • Enforce implementation of Guidelines • Enforce activation of RIO • Establish dispute resolution mechanism

7. ENSURE LEGAL AUTHORITY • Either specific details in the Telecommunications Law. • Or general authorization in the Law and specific details in the license agreements

8. DEFINE INTERCONNECTION • It is important that a clear and practical definition of Interconnection be adopted by the NRA in order to eliminate any ambiguity or misunderstanding between the NRA and the various licensees. • Examples of some definitions are: …..

9. DEFINE INTERCONNECTION E.C. Directive/July 2000 Interconnection means the physical and logical linking of public electronic communications networks used by the same or a different undertaking in order to allow the users of one undertaking to communicate with the users of the same or another undertaking, or to access services provided by another undertaking. Services may be provided by the parties involved or other parties who have access to the network.

10. DEFINE INTERCONNECTION Jordan TRC Interconnection Guidelines / Nov.2002 ‘Interconnection’ means the physical linking of Telecommunications Systems in order to allow the users of one Telecommunications System to communicate with users of the same or another Telecommunications System or to access services provided by another licensee. ‘Telecommunications System’means any transmission or switching device or other device or instrument used to convey, receive or transmit telecommunications signals for the purpose of providing Public Telecommunications Services.

11. ESTABLISH INTERCONNECTION PRINCIPLES • Interconnection can be implemented efficiently and effectively when a clear set of principles is established by the NRA . • Best practice is to adopt the principles that have been laid out by the WTO……

12. INTERCONNECTION PRINCIPLES WTO REFERENCE PAPER: Interconnection to be ensured: • At any technically feasible point in the network • Under non-discriminatory terms, conditions and rates, and of quality no less favorable than provided by the incumbent to its own services. • In a timely fashion on terms, conditions and cost-oriented rates that are transparent and reasonable. • On a satisfactorily unbundled basis • Upon request, at points in addition to network termination points offered to majority of users, subject to additional charges.

13. PREPARE AND ISSUE INTERCONNECTION GUIDELINES • Prepare first draft. • Post for public consultation. • Arrange open debate. • Revise and agree final form. • Issue in accordance with local rules.

14. SELECT DESIGNATED LICENSEES • Identify the relevant markets. • Decide dominance criteria. • Conduct market dominance study. • Determine Designated Licensees. • Direct designated Licensees to issue Reference Interconnection Offers (RIO).

15. AGREE ON RIO • Contents of RIO should be specified in the guidelines. • Designated licensees should prepare first draft of the RIO. • Regulatory Agency check conformance of the draft to the guidelines. • If compliant, RIO is approved

16. ENFORCE IMPLEMENTATION OF GUIDELINES • All stipulations of the Guidelines must be implemented by the Licensees • The Regulatory Agency is required to resolve the disputes arising out of the implementation process. • Non-compliance should cause penalties to be imposed.

17. ENFORCE ACTIVATION OF RIO • Designated Licensees must publish their RIOs (or their interconnection agreements). • All other licensees should be alerted to exercise their rights for interconnection in accordance with the RIOs. • Terms and conditions of the RIOs should be revised annually

18. ESTABLISH DISPUTERESOLUTION MECHANISM • The guidelines should contain a section on dispute resolution. • Disputants should attempt to resolve their differences amicably in accordance with a method and within a period specified in the guidelines. • Disputants may resort to the Regulatory Agency for determination if either or both so decide. • The parties must keep their networks interconnected during the dispute resolution process. Neither party shall disconnect the other without approval.

19. CONCLUSION • Interconnection regulation provides a level playing field for all operators in the telecom market. • Regulation of Interconnection is necessary in a competitive environment. • NRA must follow a systemized approach for the regulation of interconnection.

20. THANK YOU