Ref: 83/01
Date: 10 December 2001

The measures that telecoms operators should have in place to deal with any incident that may jeopardise the security of their networks are set out in new guidelines published today by Oftel.

The draft guidelines set out that operators should have, for example, appropriate fire warning systems and power back-up systems in place in their exchanges.

Operators should also manage call traffic to ensure the reliability of their networks.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said today:

"All public telecoms operators have a licence obligation to ensure that the security and integrity of their network is maintained at all times. For the first time Oftel has set out guidelines on the measures we expect operators to have in place to meet this obligation.

"Oftel expects operators to ensure they are prepared for an event such as a fire or power cut so that services to consumers can continue uninterrupted and any disruption is minimal.

"Operators and Oftel already work closely together to maintain network security and integrity to a high level.

"Recent global events have shown that there is a wider overall risk and everyone in the telecoms industry accepts that security is vital.

"I would like to thank the telecoms industry and the National Interoperability Consultative Committee for their advice and help in drawing up these important new guidelines."

Notes to editors

1. Consultation on Guidelines on the essential requirements for network security and integrity, and on criteria for restriction of access to the network has been published today and is available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/ind_guidelines/esre1201.htm. Copies are available to the media from Oftel's Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from the Research and Intelligence Unit on 020 7634 8761.

2. Condition 20 of the Public Telecommunications Operators' licences requires the operators to take all reasonably practicable steps to maintain, to the greatest extent possible, the availability and integrity of fixed public telephone systems and publicly available telephone services. It also requires that any restrictions on access and use of these systems are proportionate, non-discriminatory and based on objective criteria identified in advance.