16.07.2007
ANRCTI launches for public consultation a draft decision on the rules based on which the Authority will designate the universal service provider which shall have the obligation of making available for the telephony services users a subscribers directory and directory services, that will include the telephone numbers as well as certain identification data of the subscribers of all publicly available telephone services providers.
At present, in Romania, the commercial mechanisms specific to a competitive market do not satisfy the end-users’ right to have access to this type of directories and directory services, set out by the EU Directive which regulates the universal service in the electronic communications sector. The Law no.304/2003 on the Universal Service and users’ rights relating to the electronic communications networks and services, with the subsequent amendments and completions, stipulates that the universal service providers designated by the Authority have the obligation to make available to the end-users at least one subscribers directory, in printed format, electronic format or both, and at least one directory service, which would comprise the subscribers of all fixed or mobile telephone services providers, whether the payment for such services is made in advance (through prepaid cards, for instance) or after the services had been provided.
Taking into consideration the principles of free competition, transparency, non-discrimination, confidentiality, efficiency and objectivity, as well as the fact that the tender procedure is considered to be the most efficient designation solution, the mechanism ANRCTI established in view of designating the universal service provider for the provision of the above mentioned services is based on the public tender procedure, with a suggested minimum designation period of 2 years.
The draft decision establishes the form in which the universal service providers shall realize the subscribers directory. Thus, they shall have the obligation to make it available to end-users on their websites, with a possibility of providing such a registry also in a printed format.
The subscribers shall have the right to decide, free of charge, on whether they wish their telephone numbers and identification data to be included in the subscribers’ directories, as well as on the other categories of data which are to be included in these directories. Moreover, upon their request, the subscribers shall have the possibility to verify, rectify or eliminate the respective data, free of charge as well.
The ANRCTI President’s draft decision for amending and completing the ANRC President’s Decision no.1074/2004 on the implementation of universal service in the field of electronic communications is available for consultation on the ANRCTI website. All the interested persons are invited to submit their comments and suggestions by August 16, 2007, at ANRCTI headquarters in 14 Libertatii Blvd, Bucharest 5 or directly at the ANRCTI registration office, as well as at the closest territorial office in the municipality residence. Comments may also be sent by fax at +40 21 307 54 02 or by e-mail at the following address: consultare@anrcti.ro.