Ref: 59/02
Date: 9 October 2002

Fire warning systems and back-up power arrangements are just two of the measures that telecoms operators must have in place to deal with any incident that may threaten their network, according to guidelines published today by Oftel.

Guidelines on the essential requirements for network security and integrity sets out comprehensive guidance for operators to ensure they meet their licence requirement of maintaining secure and integral telecoms networks at all times.

Oftel has also separately published model criteria which operators can use, if required, to restrict calls to their networks on the grounds of integrity or security. One example would be to filter calls generated by a mass calling event, such as a TV show tele-voting, to avoid the telephone network becoming overloaded.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said today:

"Oftel and the industry have always worked together to ensure that the UK’s telephone network is secure.

"Operators already have in place contingency plans to deal with an event such as a fire in a telephone exchange.

"The new guidelines published today, however, will clarify the steps telecoms operators must take in order to meet their licence obligation of ensuring their networks are secure and reliable.

"Dealing swiftly and thoroughly with any disruption to the network is not only important to minimise any harm done to an operator’s own premises or equipment, but also to the wider telephone network.

"I am grateful to the Network Interoperability Consultative Committee and the telecoms industry for their help in establishing these new guidelines."

Notes to editors:

1. Four documents have been published today and are available on Oftel’s website:

• Guidelines on the essential requirements for network security and integrity and criteria for restriction of access to the network – www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/ind_guidelines/esre1002.htm

• Guidelines on the essential requirements for network security and integrity – www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/ind_guidelines/guid1002.htm

• Criteria for the restriction of access to and use of the fixed public telephone system on the grounds of network security or integrity – www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/ind_guidelines/crit1002.htm

• An overview of the fixed telephone emergency services (999/112) – www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/ind_guidelines/emer1002.htm

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.