RESTRICTED  
  
S/CSC/W/70  
 
13 November 2020  
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Committee on Specific Commitments    
 
 
COMPILATION OF CONDITIONAL COMMITMENTS IN GATS SCHEDULES  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
This Note has been prepared in response to a request by the Committee on Specific Commitments 
at the meeting of 1 October  2020. It compiles the conditional commitments in Members' Schedules 
of Specific Commitments  under the GATS .2 For the p urpose  of this Note,  conditional commitments 
refer to those entries which contain certain condition s attached  to the entry into force , 
implementation , or updating of specific  commitments . Most of the conditions are related to domestic 
processes. For the sake of completen ess, this Note also includes th ose entries where the contained 
conditions  may appear vague or indefinite .  
 
This Note is to serve transparency purposes only and is without prejudice to the positions of Members 
and to their rights and obligations under the WTO . As agreed, the Committee will consider and  decide 
how to examine conditional commitments within its mandate.  
 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice to 
the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 Please note that the entries related to financial services are not included in the Note, given that the 
Committee on Specific Commitments shall carry out its responsibilities " in relation to all services sectors other 
than those for which standing sectoral bodies have been established" (S/L/16).   
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- 2 - SCHEDULE  SECTOR  ENTRY AS  CONDITIONAL COMMITMENTS  
Armenia  
GATS/SC/137  
 2.B Courier Services  
2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
2.D Audiovisual Services  Additional 
Commitments  If, e.g. based on an international financial project, any condition relating to market access 
or national treatment is altered and results in a more liberal access, Armenia will modify 
its commitments under this Schedule and incorporate the new conditions immediately.  
Bangladesh  
GATS/SC/8/Suppl.1  2.C Telecommunication  
Services  Additional 
Commitments  The creation of regulatory disciplines is under review.  If the outcome of this review 
permits then additional commitments on regulatory disciplines will be attached before 1 
January 1998.  
Brunei Darussalam  
GATS/SC/95/Suppl.1  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
 
- Local Public switched voice 
telephone services  
 
 
 
- International  Public 
switched voice telephone 
services  
 
- Public cellular mobile 
telephone service  Additional 
Commitments   
 
 
The period of exclusivity for local public switched voice telephone services will be extended 
for up to 10  years after privatisation of JTB. The government will conduct a review of policy 
with respect to whether to permit additional suppliers of such services upon the expiry of 
this period.  
 
The pe riod of exclusivity for the two operators expires in year 2010. The government will 
conduct a review of policy with respect to whether to permit additional suppliers of such 
services upon the expiry of this period.  
 
Issuance of a licence to provide public cellular mobile telephone services employing other 
than AMPS and GSM technologies will be considered by the government in year 2010 if 
public interest and economic conditions justify the issuance of such licence.  
Egypt  
GATS/SC/30/Suppl.3  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
 Footnote  Continuation of ENT beyond 31/12/2005 shall be subject to consultations between Egypt 
and WTO Members, taking into consideration progress of the CTS discussions on ENT.  
Ghana  
GATS/SC/35/Suppl.1  2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
(a) Voice telephone services 
(7521)  
(g) Private leased circuit 
service (7522**, 7523**) Additional 
Commitments  The duopoly operators are granted exclusivity for a period of five years. At the expiration 
of this period, the Government will conduct a review of its policy to determine whether to 
license additional suppliers of such services.  
Hong Kong, China  
GATS/SC/39/Suppl.2  2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
- Local services  
  (a)-(g); (o)  Limitations on 
market access 
Mode 3  Four licences  for local fixed network services were issued in 1995.  New licences will not be 
considered before June 1998.  Whether more licences will be issued thereafter is subject to 
review in 1998.   
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- 3 - SCHEDULE  SECTOR  ENTRY AS  CONDITIONAL COMMITMENTS  
India 
GATS/SC/42/Suppl.3  2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
(a) Voice telephone service 
(CPC 7521**)  
- Wire based (i.e. for fixed 
network of subscribers)  
 
 
 
(o)Other  
Cellular mobile telephone      
services  Limitations on 
market access 
Mode 3  
 
Additional 
Commitments  
 
 
 
Limitations on 
market access 
Mode 3  There will be one operator other than Department of Telecommunications (DOT)/Mahanagar 
Telephone Nigam Ltd. (MTNL) in each service area for a period of 10 years from the grant of 
licence after which the position will be reviewed.  
 
The subject of opening up of  national long -distance service beyond service area to 
competition will be reviewed in the year 1999.  
Also, the subject of opening up  of international service to competition will be reviewed in 
the year 2004.  
 
There will be two cellular service operators in each service area.  The position will be 
reviewed after 10 years . 
Indonesia  
GATS/SC/43/Suppl.2  2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
- Local services  
 
 
 
- Long distance  services  
 
 
 
- International  services  
 Additional 
Commitments   
 
The period of exclusivity for local services expires in 2011.  The Government will conduct a 
review of policy with respect to whether to permit additional suppliers of such services upon 
the expiry of this period.  
 
The period of exclusivity for long distance services expires in 2006.  The Government will 
conduct a review of policy with respect to whether to permit additional supp liers of such 
services upon the expiry of this period.  
 
The period of exclusivity for international services expires in 2005.  The Government will 
conduct a review of policy with respect to whether to permit additional suppliers of such 
services upon the e xpiry of this period.  
Israel  
GATS/SC/44/Suppl.1  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
 Limitations on 
market access  
Mode1  
 
 
Limitations on 
market access  
Mode 2  The existing monopoly's exclusive rights in domestic Telecommunication services and 
infrastructure mentioned in paragraphs: a(I), a(III), b, c, f, g, will terminate not later than 
the year 2001. The government will publish the rules and regulatory policy regarding the 
way of opening the above mentioned to competition in the future.  
 
The g overnment issued two licenses to two operators that won a tender issued by the 
government for the operation of international services in addition to those offered by the 
present operator (BEZEQ International, which is a fully (100%) subsidiary of BEZEQ - the 
local PTT). The companies have exclusivity until 1.1.2002 and the government will 
reexamine its policy regarding further competition in the field of international services 
towards the year 2001.   
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- 4 - SCHEDULE  SECTOR  ENTRY AS  CONDITIONAL COMMITMENTS  
Jamaica  
GATS/SC/45/Suppl.1  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services : 
- Voice Telephone Services 
(7521)  
- Internet and internet 
access services (75260)  
- Video transmission services 
(satellite -based) (75241**) 
  
Additional 
Commitments   
The Government is in the process of reviewing this with the exclusive private operator in 
the context of the draft Telecom Bill and the establishment of the regulatory regime in 
1997.  If the outcome of this review is favourable, the Government will submit an 
improved commitment on private voice telephone services.  
 
The Government is in the process of reviewing this with the exclusive private operator in 
the context of the draft Telecom Bill and the establishment of the regulatory regime in 
1997.  If the outcome of this review is favourable, the Government will subm it an 
improved commitment on voice over Internet.  
 
The Government is in the process of reviewing this with the exclusive private operator in 
the context of the draft Telecom Bill and the establishment of the regulatory regime in 
1997.  If the outcome of th is review is favourable, the Government will submit an 
improved commitment on video telephony services.  
Jordan  
GATS/SC/128  
 4. DISTRIBUTION  SERVICES  Additional 
commitments  If, in future, Jordan's legislation permits non -Jordanian investors to own a greater 
percentage of equity with respect to projects or an economic activity in this sector, such 
liberalization will immediately be bound in Jordan's schedule of specific commitments.  
FYR of Macedonia  
GATS/SC/138  
 1.A Professional  Services  
(h) Medical  and dental 
services (CPC 9312)  
(j) Services provided by 
midwives, nurses,  
 physiotherapists and 
para-medical personnel 
(CPC 93191)  
 
8.A Hospital services  
 (CPC 9311)  
8.B Other Human Health 
Services  
 (CPC 9319 (other than 
93191))  Additional 
commitments  
 
 The reform process is ongoing.  FYROM will negotiate taking commitments after 1 January 
2004.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The reform process is ongoing.  FYROM will negotiate taking commitments after 1 January 
2004.  
 
Mauritius  
GATS/SC/55/Suppl.1  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  Additional 
commitments  The reference paper will be incorporated in the legislation to be adopted soon by the 
National Assembly.3 
Mexico  
GATS/SC/56/Suppl.2  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
- Commercial agencies  Limitations on 
market access 
Mode 3  The establishment and operation of commercial agencies is invariably subject to the 
relevant regulations.  The Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT) will not issue 
permits for the establish ment of a commercial agency until the corresponding regulations 
are issued.  
Nepal  
GATS/SC/139  
 4.B Wholesale  services  
4.C Retailing services  
 Limitations on 
market access 
and national Unbound except until such time that Nepal grants such rights to any WTO Member in any 
subsector, or until Nepal determines the types of foreign entities which may provide these 
 
3 The Reference Paper is not attached to the Schedule.   
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- 5 - SCHEDULE  SECTOR  ENTRY AS  CONDITIONAL COMMITMENTS  
 treatment Modes 
1,2,3 and 4  services, or that Nepal authorizes such rights under its laws and regulations, the supply of 
these services; whichever is earlier.  
Papua New Guinea  
GATS/SC/118/Suppl.1  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
(a) – (g); (o)  Limitations on 
market access  
Mode 3  
 All Telecommunication Services are subjected to a five year exclusivity (1997 -2002) to 
TELIKOM PNG Ltd. as the monopoly service provider.  
The issuance of additional operating licenses and their terms and conditions will be 
considered and announced at least  two years prior to the end of the exclusivity period.  
Saudi Arabia  
GATS/SC/141  
 11.H Services auxiliary to all 
modes of transport  Additional 
commitments  The services related to CPC 749 are currently provided by the public sector.  As far as 
market access to services included in CPC 749 become open under the Saudi legislation 
to private entities, national treatment will be granted.  
Senegal  
GATS/SC/75/Suppl.1  2.C Telecommunication 
Services  
  (a) – (g); (o)  
 Limitations on 
market access, 
Mode 1  
 
 
 
Limitations on 
market access, 
Mode 3  Exclusively through the Sonatel network, on which Sonatel has a monopoly in international 
traffic until 31  December  2003 at the earliest and 31  December 2006 at the latest. After 
2003 the authorities will examine the po ssibility of opening up the sector to other operators. 
After 2003 the authorities will examine the possibility of opening up the sector to other 
operators.  
 
Sonatel's monopoly also applies to local and long -distance traffic until 31  December  2003 at 
the ea rliest and 31  December 2006 at the latest.  After 2003 the authorities will examine 
the possibility of opening up the sector to other operators.  
South Africa  
GATS/SC/78/Suppl.2  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
- Facilities based and public 
switched 
telecommunication services  Additional 
Commitments  Authorities to consider by 31/12/2003 the feasibility of suppliers additional to the duopoly.  
 
Liberalization of resale services to take place between 2000 and 2003 with authorities to 
define terms and cond itions as well as the maximum limit for foreign investment.  
 
Sri Lanka  
GATS/SC/79/Suppl.1  2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
- International basic voice 
telecommunication services  
 
 
- Domestic local and long -
distance basic telephone 
services: Mobile cellular 
services  
 
- Satellite -based services  
GMPCS services supplied 
through own gateways   
 
Limitations on 
market access 
Modes 1&3  
 
 
Limitations on 
market access 
Mode 3  
 
 
 
Limitations on 
market access  
Mode 3   
 
Monopoly guaranteed for Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd (SLT) until 31 December 1999. 
Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) proposes thereafter to issue an additional licence, 
depending mainly on satisfactory progress having been made with respect to tariff 
rebalancing.  
 
Four operators' licences.  This number will be reviewed by the GOSL in the year 2000.  
 
 
 
 
 
Issuing of licences is under consideration.  
Suriname  
GATS/SC/80/Suppl.1  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
For public use  
-Fixed network infrastructure  
-Local, domestic, long 
distance and international   
 
 
Limitations on 
market access  
Mode 3   
 
 
The duopoly operators are granted exclusivity for a period of five years ending on 1 January 
2003. Before the expiration of this period, the Government will determine the circumstances 
under which additional operators can be licensed.   
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- 6 - SCHEDULE  SECTOR  ENTRY AS  CONDITIONAL COMMITMENTS  
 
- Mobile services (terrestrial 
and satellite based)  
  
Limitations on 
market access  
Mode 3   
Licenses are granted for a period of five years ending on 1 January 2003. Before the 
expiration of this period, the Gov ernment will determine the circumstances under which 
additional operators can be licensed  
Thailand  
GATS/SC/85/Suppl.2  2.C Telecommunication  
Services  Headnote  
 
 
 
 
 
Limitations on 
market access  
Mode 3  
 Conditional upon passage and coming into force of all necessary new communication acts, 
commencing from the year of 2006, commitments on public telecommunication services will 
be introduced, and carried out in accordance with the implementing regulations to be issued 
by virtue of those acts.  
 
 
Conditional  upon passage and coming into force of all necessary new communication acts, 
commencing from the year of 2006, Thailand will introduce the market access elements as 
contained in those acts into the relevant parts of its Schedule of Specific Commitments 
relating to the supply of public telecommunication services.  
Thailand (Cont'd)   Limitations on 
national 
treatment  
Mode 3  
 
Additional 
commitments  Conditional upon passage and coming into force of all necessary new communication acts, 
commencing from the year of 2006, Thailand will introduce the national treatment elements 
as contained in those acts into the relevant parts of its Schedule of Specific Commitments 
relating to the supply of public telecommunication services  
 
Conditional upon passage and comin g into force of all necessary new communication acts, 
commencing from the year of 2006, Thailand will introduce into its Schedule of Specific 
Commitments on public telecommunication services its treatment on the subjects relating to 
competitive safeguards,  interconnection, universal service, public availability of licensing 
criteria, separation of regulatory and operational functions, and the allocation and use of 
scarce resources.  
Turkey  
GATS/SC/88/Suppl.2  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
  (a) – (g) Limitations on 
market access 
Modes 1&3  
 Türk Telekomünikasyon A._. is the exclusive operator.  Exclusive right will end by 
31.12.2005, subject to adoption of the relevant legislation by the parliament.  
Uganda  
GATS/SC/89/Suppl.1/Rev.1  
 2.C Telecommunication  
Services  
Facilities based public -
switched voice 
telecommunication services 
on fixed network 
infrastructure  Limitations on 
market access  
Mode 3  Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) and Second National Operator (SNO) duopoly exclusivity, 
subject to Uganda Government review after 2003.  
 
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