Ref: 41/03
Date: 09 July 2003

Oftel has today confirmed the general conditions that operators will need to meet from 25 July in order to provide electronic communications networks and services.

The conditions set out the minimum requirements that communications providers must meet, including providing reliable network services and negotiating interconnection arrangements with other network operators.

The general conditions replace the obligations contained in current telecoms licences, which will be revoked on 25 July under the new European framework for communications regulation.

The conditions will be backed by strong and effective enforcement powers if companies breach the conditions.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"The publication of these general conditions is an important final milestone in Oftel’s work to introduce an entirely new framework for communications regulation under the EC Communications Directives.

"The general conditions provide a more streamlined and flexible regime for current and new operators and service providers, and a sound basis for future regulation of communications network and service providers by Oftel and later, Ofcom.

"I welcome the fact that consumer protection remains at the heart of the new conditions, backed by strong and effective enforcement powers."

Notes to editors

1. The final statement setting out The General Conditions of Entitlement is available on the Oftel website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/licensing/2003/cond0703.htm. Hard copies are available to the media from the Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from the Research and Information Unit on 020 7634 8761.

Previous publications on the general conditions are available at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/licensing/2002/enti0502.htm and www.communicationsbill.gov.uk/pdf/Implementation_Con_Doc_AnnexB.pdf.

2. Under the new regulatory regime that comes into force on 25 July 2003, conditions in licences are to be replaced by a combination of general conditions applicable to all communications providers and specific conditions to be set and applied to specific communications providers, for example where they have significant market power or have universal service obligations. Further information on the implementation of the new regulatory framework can be found on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/eu_directives/index.htm.

3. It is intended that the new Communications Act will implement the new Directives, but because the Communications Bill is currently progressing through the parliamentary process it is not certain whether that will be complete by 25 July. To ensure that there is no gap in regulation, statutory instruments have been drafted by the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure the implementation of the new Directives for any period between 25 July 2003 and the entry into force of the new Communications Act. These can be found on the Communications Bill website at www.communicationsbill.gov.uk/Interim_Implementation_revised.htm.

4. Oftel also published draft continuation notices earlier this month to continue existing regulatory obligations on telecoms companies with market power until the introduction of regulation under the new EC Directives following completion of the current programme of market reviews. The document, Continuing licence conditions after 25 July, is available on the Oftel website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/licensing/2003/cont0703.htm.