1 / 6

Universal Service -Telecommunications

Presentation – Zahid Deen, Competition Group. Universal Service -Telecommunications. 23 October 2009. Snapshot of current universal service. Acts as ‘safety net’ to extend access to basic fixed line services Meet reasonable requests for connection to a fixed location

asha
Download Presentation

Universal Service -Telecommunications

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Presentation – Zahid Deen, Competition Group Universal Service -Telecommunications 23 October 2009

  2. Snapshot of current universal service • Acts as ‘safety net’ to extend access to basic fixed line services • Meet reasonable requests for connection to a fixed location • A Social (Low cost) tariff • Reasonable access to Payphones • Access for end-users with a disability (includes provision of a Text Relay service) • Other requirements e.g. around directory information and billing • At affordable and uniform prices

  3. Who sets the scope of the USO? • Directive 2002/22/EC • Broad framework (Smorgasbord) • Requirement for “transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral” and “not more burdensome than necessary” Europe BIS • Statutory Instrument: Universal Service Order • Describes, at a high level, the extent of USO in the UK • s65-72 Communications Act 2003 • Describes Ofcom’s powers and obligations in securing universal service consistent with the Order • Sets Universal Service Conditions on designated Universal Service Provider(s) Ofcom BT & KCOM • The UK designated Universal Service Providers

  4. Ofcom will consult on a Framework for reviewing the USO • Intend to issue first consultation document in 2010 • Consultation likely to set out a high level frameworks for assessing financial and social costs and benefits of the USO – aim is more sustainable and better aligned USO

  5. Blue Skies for future USO... • Universal broadband – a ‘commitment’ • Government has proposed 2Mbps availability across the UK • Mobile??? • Government proposes revised obligations for spectrum awards in order to push coverage • Other – such as new services for end-users with a disability (e.g. video relay) • Different services may have different impacts and cost implications

  6. …….Ultimately, a decision for Government • Ofcom’s role is to implement the USO • Government set the scope of USO – they determine if new services should be included • Some of the discussion about what should be part of USO relates to what services are necessary for participating in society • Government also influences how participation should occur - in public services (e.g. will broadband be essential in order to access some public services?)

More Related