The Instituto das Comunicações de Portugal (ICP) has defined a package of conditions of access and installation of equipment for Fixed Telephone Service (FTS) operators in exchanges explored by PT Comunicações within the bounds of the unbundled local loop offer. In this context the Institute revised some of the prices proposed by the historic operator, applying reductions that vary between 5.9% and 19.9%.
The local loop is the latest section in the basic telecommunications network, explored by PT Comunicações. On being opened - or unbundled - it may be used by other operators in conjunction with their own infrastructures in order to provide services to end customers. The opening process, guided by a set of rules and prices, is designated the Local Loop Offer (LLO).
This package is the result of a number of concerns transmitted to the ICP by some licensed operators and is aimed at giving continuity to the process.
Therefore, in accordance with the ICP decision, PT Comunicações may not refuse the other operators access to relevant information when they show interest in the installation of equipment. The minimum of information to be supplied by PT Comunicações about each exchange must contain data about the number of local loops in use, the number of distributor pairs, the number of pairs being explored, the number of lines in reserve, the minimum, maximum and average length of local loops and the calibres of the most common cables.
The ICP also decided to make some alterations to prices charged by the historic operator for the provision of certain services. Thus, and following the guidelines for cost principle, it was decided by the regulatory body that the price for the installation of multi-operator components proposed initially by PT Comunicações be reduced by 8.3% and the monthly maintenance costs for these components by 5.9%.
The installation price for individual components is reduced by 16.9% and at the same time the monthly maintenance costs for these components is reduced y 19.9%.
In relation to the uninstallation of each local loop, the price initially proposed by PT Comunicações was reviewed by the operator after being asked to justify the price asked (PTE 1,905 (EUR 9.50). Even so, after taking the associated costs into account, the ICP decided to fix the uninstallation price at PTE 1,620 (EUR 8.08).
These prices are part of a decision project approved by the ICP and whose content is still subject to a hearing with the interested parties.
In terms of access to exchanges, the ICP decided that PT Comunicações should not require the other operators to present declarations of conformity of terminal equipment connected to a certain loop as it was considered that this is the responsibility of the regulatory body and not the historic operator. Thus, PT Comunicações must ask the ICP to resolve those situations that require compatibility of equipment whenever necessary and with due justification for such a request.
Furthermore, the historic operator must guarantee the other operators access to those exchanges reported as being lacking in capacity. Up to now these cases have been inspected in loco by the ICP.
In situations where there are exchanges with equipment installed, the historic operator must give operators a reasonable amount of time to complete access to these installations both during normal working hours and in emergency situations.
The prices and conditions included here do not directly concern the offers to be established for end users, but rather the contractual and commercial relationship between operators.
Consult:
- Changes in prices of certain services https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=417408
- RUO 2001 compliance with the ICP decision of 28.6.2001 https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=417404
- Requerements to be met regarding co-location https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=417399
