COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 14.09.1995 
COM(95) 417 final - COD 495 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the European Parliament's amendments 
to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
on a series of guidelines for the development of ISDN as a 
trans-European network 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

EXPLAN A TORY MEMORANDUM 
The proposed Decision of the European Parliament and the Council comes under the co-
decision procedure (Article 189b of the EC Treaty). 
Article 189.52(d) requires the Commission to express its Opinion on the amendments 
proposed by the European parliament in its second reading. 
The Commission hereby presents its opinion on the eight amendments proposed by the 
European Parliament. In accordance with Article 189a (second paragraph) the 
Commission also presents a modified proposal incorporating the amendments which the 
Commission has accepted 
1. BACKGROUND 
On 14 September 1993 the Commission presented to the European Parliament and 
to the Council two proposals for : 
- a decision on a series of guidelines1 for the development of ISDN2 as a trans-
European network, and 
- a decision on the adoption of a multi-annual Community action concerning the 
development of ISDN as a trans-European network. 
They seek to develop ISDN as a trans-European network. 
Remark: the discussion on the second decision (Community action) has meanwhile 
been suspended in the light of the somewhat overlapping proposal for a 
Financial Regulation on TENs. Only the first decision (guidelines) was 
subject to the second reading of the European Parliament. 
The Economic and Social Committee gave a favourable opinion3 on this 
proposal on 21 December 1993. 
The Committee of the Regions gave a favourable opinion4 on this proposal 
on 17/18 May 1994. 
On 17 November 1994 the Commission presented a Modified Proposal5 
incorporating those European Parliament amendments accepted by the 
Commission. 
On 21 December 1994 the Council, acting in accordance with Article 189b 
of the Treaty adopted a Common Position6, on the proposed Decision. 
The European Parliament voted on the second reading on 13 June 1995, 
adopting a favourable resolution which included eight amendments7 to the 
Common Position. 
1 OJ C 0259, 23.09.93, p. 6; 
2 Integrated Services Digital Network; 
3 CES 1313/93; 
4 CdR 42/94; 
5 OJC 353, 13.12.94, p. 5; 1 
2. PURPOSE OF THE DECISION 
The proposal for a Decision on the development of ISDN as a transeuropean 
telecommunications network is an element of the Community's 
telecommunications policy, one major goal of which is to promote a 
telecommunications infrastructure based on interconnected networks integrating a 
number of interoperable services covering the whole of Europe. 
Since 1984, ISDN is a key object of this policy. 
Many efforts have already been undertaken by the public network operators and 
the Member States. However, not all aspects required for a successful 
Community-wide introduction of EURO-ISDN are yet in place. Additional efforts 
at the level of the Member States and at Community level to ensure network 
interconnectivity, the interoperability of a number of basic services throughout the 
Community, the stimulation of demand and the raising o the awareness of user, 
namely of SME's are necessary. 
A successful penetration of EURO-ISDN based services will contribute to: 
- the evolution towards the information society, 
- the improving of the competitiveness European industry and strengthening the 
internal market 
- the reinforcement of economic and social cohesion, and 
- the creation of employment. 
3. POSITION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE EP AMENDMENTS 
In considering the amendments proposed by the European Parliament on second 
reading, the Commission can accept those amendments which : 
i) are consistent with the initial proposal and/or 
ii) are consistent with the Commission's Position on the first reading of the 
European Parliament and/or 
iii) clarify the text in a useful way. 
3.1 Amendments accepted by the Commission 
The European Parliament proposes eight amendments following intensive 
consultations with the involved parties. Since these amendments achieved a large 
majority and since they are consistent with the Commission's intentions expressed 
in its previous amended proposal, the Commission can accept all eight 
amendments. The rationale for this position is set out below in detail. 
6 C4-033/95 - 00/0495(COD); 
7 C34-33/95-A4-131/95); -^ 
3.1.1 To Amendment N° It on Article 3. introduction and first indent 
The Commission can accept the reference to the universal service, for which ISDN 
is considered as part of the infrastructure. ISDN is evolved directly out of the 
existing telephone network, the current delivery platform for the universal service. 
The wording of this amendment does not imply that ISDN forms or should form 
part of the definition of universal service. Such a definition is both for future 
decision and for consideration in the light of advances in technology, market 
development and changes in user demand as set out in Council Resolution 94/C 
48/01 on universal service principles in the telecommunications sector. 
The second element of this amendment adds a reference to broad band networks. 
This is a useful clarification and acceptable by the Commission. 
3.1.2 To Amendment N°2t on Articles, third indent 
The first part of this amendment concerns the explicit mention of public and 
private sector applications and is fully in line with the Commission's initial 
intentions. The second part concerns the promotion of the availability of EURO-
ISDN terminals and application software. A similar amendment was already 
accepted by the Commission on first reading. 
3.1.3 To Amendment N°5)S on Article 5. third indent 
The Commission has no problem in following the European Parliament's proposal, 
to express a high desirability for the cooperation with certain third countries 
regarding this measure. 
3.1.4 To Amendment N° 6) on Annex 1(3). introduction 
A similar amendment to the one presented here, viz stating that the list of services 
is "non-exhaustive" was already accepted by the Commission on first reading. 
3.1.5 To Amendment N° 7) on Annex 11(1.3a) (new) 
The addition of a further project of common interest addressing the specific needs 
'of transborder regions is fully in line with the Commissions initial intentions and 
hence acceptable to the Commission. 
3.1.6 To Amendment N° 8) on Annex 11(2) 
idem second part of 3.1.2 
3.1.7 To Amendment N° 9) on Annex 11(3) 
idem first part of 3.1.2. 
Amendments N°s 3 and 4 have been withdrawn by the rapporteur before the vote; 
H-
3.1.8 To Amendment N° 10) on Annex 11(4.1 > and (4.2) 
The Commission can agree to both elements of this amendment concerning a pilot 
experience with the EuroInfoCentres and the training of staff on ISDN terminal 
matters. Both elements are in line with the Commission's intention. 
4. CONCLUSION 
In accordance with Article 189b, paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty, the Commission 
hereby gives its Opinion on the amendments adopted by the European Parliament 
on second reading. The Commission accepts all eight amendments proposed by the 
Parliament as they are fully compatible with the goals of this Decision. The 
modified proposal (annex) incorporates these amendments. In accordance with 
Article 189a (second paragraph) the Commission hereby modifies its proposal. 
r 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
on a series of guidelines for the development of ISDN as a trans-European 
network 
(presented by the Commission in accordance with Article 189a, second paragraph, of the 
EC Treaty) 
EXPLANA TORY MEMORANDUM 
The proposed Decision of the European Parliament and the Council comes under the co-
decision procedure (Article 189b of the EC Treaty). 
Article 189.b2(d) requires the Commission to express its opinion on the amendments 
proposed by the European Parliament in its second reading. 
The Commission hereby presents its opinion on the eight amendments proposed by the 
European Parliament. In accordance with Article 189a (second paragraph) the 
Commission also presents a modified proposal incorporating the amendments which the 
Commission has accepted 
Common Position Amended Text 
Article 3 
The objectives for the development of 
EURO-ISDN shall be as follows: 
- access to EURO-ISDN facilities 
including basic Services; The objectives as regards the development 
of the ISDN as a trans-European network 
and into a component of the infrastructure 
for the 'universal service' shall be as 
follows: 
- the development of services based on 
the EURO-ISDN, with account taken 
of the future introduction of a 
European broadband integrated 
communications network: 
Article 5 
analysis and promotion of migration of 
application to EURO-ISDN; analysis and promotion of migration of 
public and private sector applications to 
EURO-ISDN; 
promotion of the availability of EURO-
ISDN terminals and application 
software 
Article 9 
Participation by third countries which are 
parties to the Agreement on the European 
Economic Area or which have Association 
Agreements with the Community may in 
individual cases be authorised bv the 
Council, under the procedure in Article 
228 of the Treaty, to enable them to assist 
in carrying out projects of common 
interest and to promote the 
interconnection and interoperability of 
their ISDN. 
3. "Telematic services" in the context of 
the present Decision are: Participation by third countries which are 
parties to the Agreement on the European 
Economic Area or which have Association 
Agreements with the Community is highly 
desirable, subject to the procedure in 
Article 228 of the Treaty, to enable them 
to assist in carrying out projects of 
common interest and to promote the 
interconnection and interoperability of 
their EÎJRQ-ISDN. 
3. "Telematic services" in the context of 
the present Decision are (non 
exhaustive list) 
of cross-border 3.1 a Development 
applications 
Objective: To meet the specific needs 
of border regions with regard to the 
public and private sector (particularly 
small and medium-sized undertakings). 
* 
2. Promotion of the end-to-end 
interoperability of telematic services 
Analysis and promotion of migration of 
existing applications to EURO-ISDN 
and promotion of new applications. 
4.1 Validation experiments with SMEs 
for telematic services 
Objective: To make users which could 
potentially benefit from EURO-ISDN 
based telecommunications aware of the 
advantages these systems could bring to 
the enhancement of their business 
processes and to contribute to the 
development of a critical mass of 
EURO-ISDN terminals in order to 
make them less expensive through 
widespread usage. 
4.2 Promotion of a common 
application programming interface 
Objective: To further the harmonisation 
of application programming interfaces 
throughout the Community, thus 
enabling application software to be 
made independent of the underlying 
hardware platform 2. Promotion of the end-to-end 
interoperability of telematic services 
and the availability of EURO-ISDN 
terminals. 
3. Analysis and promotion of migration of 
existing public and private sector 
applications to EURO-ISDN and 
promotion of new applications. 
4.1 Validation experiments with SMEs 
for telematic services 
Objective: To make users which could 
potentially benefit from EURO-ISDN 
based telecommunications aware of the 
advantages these systems could bring 
to the enhancement of their business 
processes and to contribute to the 
development of a critical mass of 
EURO-ISDN terminals in order to 
make them less expensive through 
widespread usage. Pilot projects in the 
Euro-Infocentres and similar 
establishments in the Member States 
(cost/benefit analysis followed by a 
feasibility study concerning the 
generalised usage of the ISDN bv the 
Euro-Infocentres). 
4.2 Promotion of a common 
application programming interface 
Objective: To further the harmonisation 
of application programming interfaces 
throughout the Community, thus 
enabling application software to be 
made independent of the underlying 
hardware platform 
4.2a Training initiatives 
Objective: To train staff for the 
distribution and installation of EURO-
ISDN terminals, particularly in small 
and medium-sized undertakings. 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(95) 417 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 07 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-95-459-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-93050-0 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg