Jordan has so far succeeded in establishing the required balance of objectives. The introduction of competition for provision of public switched telephone networks services and its timing have been debated widely. The company would be obliged to provide universal service only when it reached a suitable size. As for timing of the introduction of competition, the options considered were based on whether licensing of a second operator came before, at the time of, or after JTC's privatization. JTC tariffs are not aligned to costs.
International calls are high, while local services tariffs are below cost.
JTC is under pressure to rebalance its tariffs to satisfy its customers, reduce its dependency on revenue from international calls and prepare for competition. JTC introduced new tariffs in January 1997. International tariffs were reduced by 20 percent on average. Local and national tariffs were restructured. Leased line tariffs seem to be high and require special consideration in light of the importance to other service providers who depend upon the availability of these leased lines at affordable costs.