List of standards and/or specifications for electronic communications networks, services and associated facilities and services

(interim issue)

(2002/C 331/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

EXPLANATORY NOTE CONCERNING THE INTERIM ISSUE OF THE LIST OF STANDARDS AND/OR SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS, SERVICES AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES AND SERVICES

In accordance with Article 5(1) of Directive 90/387/EEC(1), as amended by Directive 97/51/EC and Article 17 of the Framework Directive 2002/21/EC(2), the Commission shall publish in the Official Journal of the European Communities a list of standards and/or specifications which serve as a basis for encouraging the harmonised provision of electronic communications networks, electronic communications services and associated facilities and services (first paragraph of Article 17), to ensure interoperability of services and to improve freedom of choice for users. (second paragraph of Article 17)(3).

This publication replaces the former ONP list of standards (the sixth issue) published on 7 November 1998(4) under the ONP Directive. The obligations under the current regulatory framework remain applicable until the new regulatory framework is applied from 25 July 2003, in accordance with Article 28 of the Framework Directive.

The new regulatory framework implies a number of changes. All electronic communications networks, services and associated services are now covered. The list of standards needed to be changed accordingly. Major changes in this issue compared with the sixth issue of the ONP list of standards from 1998 are:

- a number of standards have been withdrawn from the ONP list of standards. Most standards associated with the PSDS Recommendation 92/382/EEC and ISDN Recommendation 92/383/EEC have been withdrawn,

- a number of additional standards have been added to the list, in particular in a new broadcasting chapter.

This is a selective list of standards in the areas concerned. In accordance with Art 17(2) of the Framework Directive, in the absence of standards and/or specifications in this list, Member States must encourage the implementation of standards and/or specifications adopted by European standards organisations and, in the absence of such standards and/or specifications, encourage the implementation of international standards or recommendations adopted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)(5).

PREFACE

1. General

Pursuant to Article 5(1) of Directive 90/387/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/51/EC the Commission publishes a list of standards for harmonised technical interfaces and/or service features in the context of open network provision. Pursuant to Article 17(1) of the Framework Directive the Commission shall draw up and publish in the Official Journal of the European Communities a list of standards and/or specifications for encouraging the harmonised provision of electronic communications networks, electronic communications services and associated facilities and services.

The obligations under the current regulatory framework remain applicable until the new regulatory framework is applied from 25 July 2003, in accordance with Article 28 of the Framework Directive.

The list of standards will be revised on a regular basis to take account of requirements resulting from new technologies and market changes. Interested parties are encouraged to comment on this interim issue.

The Communications Committee has been consulted in so far as the list relates to Article 17 of the Framework Directive(6).

2. Structure of the list of standards

- Chapter I: Reference list for leased lines beyond the minimum set defined in chapter I of the Annex.

- Chapter II: Access and interconnection. Number portability, carrier selection and carrier pre-selection.

- Chapter III: Unbundled access to the local loop.

- Chapter IV: Standards for implementing various user services.

- Chapter V: Standards for implementing data protection requirements.

- Chapter VI: Standards for electronic communications networks established for the distribution of digital broadcasting services including their associated facilities.

Annex

The annex includes, for information purposes only, a list of standards and/or specifications the implementation of which is made mandatory under the current Directives.

- Chapter I: Reference list for the minimum set of leased lines listed in Annex II of Directive 92/44/EEC(7) as amended by Directive 97/51/EC(8), and in future by Directive 2002/22/EC (Universal Service Directive)(9).

- Chapter II: Quality of service parameters, as established in Annex III of Directive 98/10/EC(10) as amended by Commission Decision 2001/22/EC(11), and in future by Directive 2002/22/EC (Universal Service Directive), for operators with universal service obligations.

When no version number of the standard is quoted, the version referred to in this list is the version valid at the time that the list is published.

See section 7 of this preface for full references to the abovementioned Directives.

3. Status of the standards in the list

The use of standards listed in Chapters I to VI is encouraged but there is no legal obligation to implement them. According to Article 17(2) of the Framework Directive, "Member States shall encourage the use of the standards and/or specifications referred to (...) for the provision of services, technical interfaces and/or network functions, to the extent strictly necessary to ensure interoperability of services and to improve freedom of choice for users."(12).

In accordance with Article 17 of the framework Directive, the purpose of this list is "to serve as a basis for encouraging the harmonised provision of electronic communications networks, electronic communications services and associated facilities and services" (first paragraph), "to ensure interoperability of services and to improve freedom of choice for users." (second paragraph). This should be borne in mind when implementing standards which contain alternatives or optional clauses.

According to Article 17(5) and (6) of the Framework Directive, "where the Commission considers that standards and/or specifications (...) no longer contribute to the provision of harmonised electronic communications services, or that they no longer meet consumers' needs or are hampering technological development, it shall (...) remove them from the list of standards and/or specifications (...).".

4. Technical standards and/or specifications

Most of the standards and specifications mentioned in this list are ETSI deliverables under both the previous and current ETSI nomenclature. According to the "ETSI Directives"(13), these deliverables are defined as follows:

Deliverables under the current ETSI nomenclature:

ETSI guide, EG: An ETSI deliverable, containing mainly informative elements, approved for publication by application of the membership approval procedure.

ETSI standard, ES: An ETSI deliverable, containing normative provisions, approved for publication by application of the membership approval procedure.

ETSI technical specification, TS: An ETSI deliverable, containing normative provisions, approved for publication by a technical body.

ETSI technical report, TR: An ETSI deliverable, containing mainly informative elements, approved for publication by a technical body.

European Standard (telecommunications series), EN: An ETSI deliverable containing normative provisions, approved for publication in a process involving the national standards organisations and/or ETSI national delegations with implications concerning standstill and national transposition.

Harmonised standard: An EN (telecommunications series) the drafting of which has been entrusted to ETSI by a mandate from the European Commission under European Directive 98/48/EC (latest amendment to Directive 83/189/EEC) and has been drafted taking into account the applicable essential requirements of the "New Approach" Directive and whose reference has subsequently been announced in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Special report, SR: An ETSI deliverable, which contains information made publicly available for reference purposes.

Deliverables under the previous ETSI nomenclature to which reference is made in the list:

European telecommunication standard (ETS): An ETSI deliverable, containing normative, provisions approved for publication in a process involving the national standards organisations and/or ETSI national delegations with implications concerning standstill and national transposition.

ETSI technical report, (ETR): An ETSI deliverable, containing informative elements, approved for publication by a technical committee.

5. The three-stage specification methodology used by ETSI

In the list stage 1, 2 and 3 standards are included where appropriate. These refer to the three-stage specification methodology used by ETSI (see ETR-010).

Stage 1 is an overall service description from the user's standpoint. Stage 2 is a description of the functional capabilities and the information flows needed to support the service described in stage 1. Stage 3 is the specification of the signalling protocol at the user-network access interface or at the gateway between two public networks.

6. Addresses where documents referenced can be obtained

ETSI Publications Office(14) postal address: F - 06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex tel. (33-4) 92 94 42 41 or (33-4) 92 94 42 58 fax (33-4) 93 95 81 33 e-mail: publications@etsi.fr website: http://www.etsi.fr

ITU Sales and Marketing Service (For ITU-T documents) postal address: Place des Nations CH - 1211 Geneva 20 tel. (41-22) 730 61 41 (English)

(41-22) 730 61 42 (French)

(41-22) 730 61 43 (Spanish)

fax (41-22) 730 51 94 e-mail: sales@itu.int website: http://www.itu.int

7. References to EU legislation

The list refers to the following legislative documents which may be found at http://europa.eu.int/ information_society/topics/ telecoms/regulatory/index_en.htm.

Directive 2002/21/EC (Framework Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 33).

Directive 2002/19/EC (Access Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and services and associated facilities (OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 7).

Directive 2002/22/EC (Universal Service Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council on Universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services (OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 51).

Directive 2002/58/EC (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) of the European Parliament and of the Council on the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 27).

Directive 2002/20/EC (Authorisation Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services (OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 21).

Recommendation 2000/417/EC of the Commission on unbundled access to the local loop (OJ L 156, 29.6.2000, p. 44).

Regulation EC/2887/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council on unbundled access to the local loop (OJ L 336, 30.12.2000, p. 4).

Directive 90/387/EEC of the Council on the establishment of the internal market for the telecommunication services through the implementation of open network provision (OJ L 192, 24.7.1990, p. 1), as amended by Directive 97/51/EC of the European Parliament and the Council amending Council Directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC for the purpose of adaptation to a competitive environment in telecommunications (OJ L 295, 29.10.1997, p. 23).

Directive 92/44/EEC of the Council on the application of open network provision to leased lines (OJ L 165, 19.6.1992, p. 27), as amended by Directive 97/51/EC of the European Parliament and the Council amending Council Directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC for the purpose of adaptation to a competitive environment in telecommunications (OJ L 295, 29.10.1997, p. 23), as amended by Commission Decision of 7 January 1998 on amendment of Annex II to Directive 92/44/EEC of the Council (OJ L 14, 20.1.1998, p. 27).

Directive 95/47/EC (Television standards Directive) on the use of standards for the transmission of television signals (OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 51).

Directive 97/33/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on interconnection in telecommunications with regard do ensuring universal service and interoperability through application of the principles of open network provision (OJ L 199, 26.7.1997, p. 32).

Directive 97/51/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC for the purpose of adaptation to a competitive environment in telecommunications (OJ L 295, 29.10.1997, p. 23).

Directive 98/10/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the application of open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunication in a competitive environment (OJ L 101, 1.4.1998, p. 24) as amended by Commission Decision of 22 December 2000 on amendment of Annex III of the Directive 98/10/EC of the European Parliament and the Council (OJ L 5, 10.1.2001, p. 12).

The present list deals with standards on telecommunication networks and broadcasting networks and associated facilities. It is without prejudice to the Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity(15), and any list of standards published pursuant to that Directive.

LIST OF STANDARDS AND/OR SPECIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRONIC NETWORKS, SERVICES AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The purpose of publishing standards in the list is to encourage the provision of harmonised electronic communications services to the benefit of users throughout the Community, to ensure interoperability and to support the implementation of the current and future regulatory framework. The main guiding principle to include standards is to focus on standards related closely to the provisions in the Directives.

CHAPTER I

Reference list for leased lines beyond the minimum set defined in Chapter I of the Annex

The technical interfaces and/or service features listed in this chapter include those listed in Annex III to Directive 92/44/EEC.

DIGITAL

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CHAPTER II

Standards for access and interconnection, number portability, carrier selection and carrier pre-selection

NETWORK INTERCONNECTION

This section contains standards for switched network interconnection, including intelligent network interconnection. The interconnection standards identified are based on Signalling System No 7 (SS7).

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ACCESS TO SERVICE PROVIDERS

This section contains standards suitable for access to the network at points other than the network termination points offered to the majority of end-users.

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NUMBER PORTABILITY AND CARRIER SELECTION AND CARRIER PRE-SELECTION

The technical interfaces and/or services features given in this section are based upon Article 19 of the Universal Service Directive with regard to operator number portability, carrier selection and carrier pre-selection.

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CHAPTER III

Unbundled access to the local loop

The technical interfaces and/or services features given in this section are related to unbundled access to the local loop in accordance with Recommendation 2000/417/EC and Regulation (EC) No 2887/2000 on unbundled access to the local loop.

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CHAPTER IV

Standards for implementing various user services

The technical interfaces and/or services features given in this chapter are those suitable for implementing offerings regarding various user services in accordance with the Universal Service Directive.

SINGLE LINE ANALOGUE INTERFACE AND TELEPHONE TONES

In accordance with Article 4 of the Universal Service Directive Member States shall ensure that all reasonable requests for connection to the public telephone network at a fixed location and for access to publicly available telephone services at a fixed location are met by at least one operator.

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STANDARDS FOR SERVICES AND OTHER MEASURES FOR DISABLED USERS

In accordance with Article 7 of the Universal Service Directive Member States shall, where appropriate take specific measures to ensure equal access to and affordability of publicly available telephone services for disabled users.

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DIRECTORY ENQUIRY SERVICES

In accordance with Article 5 of the Universal Service Directive Member States shall ensure that at least one telephone directory enquiry service covering all listed subscribers' numbers is available to all users.

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CALLER LOCATION

In accordance with Article 26(3) of the Universal Service Directive Member States shall ensure that providers of public telephone networks make caller location information available to emergency services authorities, to the extent technically feasible, for all "112" calls. In fixed networks caller location will be provided by means of CLIP service.

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EUROPEAN TELEPHONE ACCESS CODE ("3883")

In accordance with Article 27 of the Universal Service Directive Member States shall ensure that all providers of public telephone networks handle all calls to the European telephony numbering space (ETNS).

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ADDITIONAL FACILITIES

In accordance with Article 29 of the Universal Service Directive operators operating public telephone networks must support the use of DTMF tones and make available calling-line identification as listed in Annex I part B.

Dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF)

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Calling-line identification in PSTN - Networks

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Calling-line identification in ISDN - Networks

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Calling-line identification in GSM - Networks

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CONTROL OF EXPENDITURE

In accordance with Article 10 and Annex I part A of the Universal Service Directive operators with universal service obligations must offer a number of services so consumers can monitor and control expenditure. As universal service does not include ISDN only standards for services within the PSTN network are listed.

Outgoing call-barring

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CHAPTER V

Standards for implementing data-protection requirements

The technical interfaces and/or services features given in this chapter are those suitable for implementing the offerings in accordance with the Directive on privacy and electronic communications and the Universal Service Directive. However for some of the facilities which are also addressed in the Universal Service Directive the relevant standards are placed elsewhere in this list.

CALLING AND CONNECTED LINE IDENTIFICATION SERVICES

The technical interfaces and/or services features given in this section are related to the calling and connected line identification services required under Article 8 of the Directive on privacy and electronic communications.

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LOCATION DATA FOR PUBLIC TELEPHONE SERVICES

In accordance with Article 26(3) of the Universal Service Directive, undertakings operating public telephone networks should make caller location information available to the authorities handling emergencies, for all calls to the single European emergency number "112". In accordance with Articles 9 of the Directive on privacy and electronic communications, the subscriber must have the possibility, via a simple means, to temporarily deny the processing of location data for each connection to the network or for each transmission of a communication. In accordance with Article 10 of the Directive on privacy and electronic communications, the temporary denial of the subscriber may be overridden for the processing of location data for organisations dealing with emergency calls.

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AUTOMATIC CALL FORWARDING

In accordance with Article 11 of the Directive on privacy and electronic communications Member States shall ensure that any subscriber is provided, free of charge and via a simple means, with the possibility to stop automatic call forwarding by a third party to the subscriber's terminal.

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CHAPTER VI

Standards for electronic communications networks established for the distribution of digital broadcasting services including their associated facilities

This chapter lists the relevant standards for the provision of broadcasting services in accordance with the Access and Interconnection Directive, the Universal Service Directive and the Framework Directive. These carry over or extend the relevant provisions from Directive 95/47/EC on the use of standards for the transmission of television signals (hereafter referred to as the "television standards Directive").

INTEROPERABILITY OF CONSUMER TELEVISION EQUIPMENT

In accordance with Articles 3 and 4(d) of the television standards Directive, television sets should be fitted with at least one open interface socket (as standardised by a recognised European standardisation body). These obligations are carried over in modified form to Article 24 and Annex VI of the Universal Service Directive.

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CONDITIONAL ACCESS SYSTEMS

In accordance with Article 4(a) of the television standards Directive, consumer equipment capable of descrambling digital television signals must allow the descrambling of such signals according to the common European scrambling algorithm, and the display of signals that have been transmitted in clear. This is also required by Article 24 and Annex VI of the Universal Service Directive.

In accordance with Article 6(1) and Annex I of the Access and Interconnection Directive, Member States must ensure the application of the conditions referred to therein regarding access to digital television and radio broadcasting services. These carry over most of the provisions in Article 4 of the television standards Directive and extend their scope to radio services.

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TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS

Digital television broadcasting

In accordance with Article 2(a) of the television standards Directive "all television services transmitted to viewers in the Community, whether by cable, satellite or terrestrial means shall (...) if they are fully digital, use a transmission system which has been standardised by a recognised European standardisation body."

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Digital radio broadcasting

This section contains a standard suitable for the transmission of digital radio broadcasts.

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SERVICES

In accordance with article 18 and Art.17(2) of the Framework Directive Member States shall encourage the interoperability of digital television services.

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APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACES (APIs)

Article 18(1)(a) of the Framework Directive requires Member States to encourage, in accordance with the provisions of Article 17(2), providers of digital interactive television services for distribution to the public in the Community on digital interactive television platforms, regardless of the transmission mode, to use an open API.

Multimedia home platform

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(1) Council Directive 90/387/EEC of 28 June 1990 on the establishment of the internal market for telecommunications services through the implementation of open network provision (OJ L 192, 24.7.1990), as amended by Directive 97/51/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 1997 (OJ L 295, 29.10.1997).

(2) OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 33.

(3) Equivalent wording is found in Article 5(1) of Directive 90/387/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/51/EC.

(4) OJ C 339, 7.11.1998, p. 6.

(5) Equivalent wording is found in Article 5(2) of Directive 90/387/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/51/EC.

(6) Established under Article 22 of the Framework Directive.

(7) OJ L 165, 19.6.1992.

(8) OJ L 295, 29.10.1997, p. 23.

(9) Article 18(1): "Where (...) a national regulatory authority determines that the market for the provision of part or all of the minimum set of leased lines is not effectively competitive, it (...) shall impose obligations regarding the provision of the minimum set of leased lines, as identified in the list of standards published in the Official Journal of the European Communities in accordance with Article 17 of Directive 2002/21/EC (Framework Directive), and the conditions for such provision set out in (Annex VII to this Directive (...).".

(10) OJ L 101, 1.4.1998, p. 24.

(11) OJ L 5, 10.1.2001, p. 12.

(12) Equivalent wording is found in Article 5(1) of Directive 90/387/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/51/EC.

(13) Available at http://portal.etsi.org/directives/

(14) ETSI documents can be downloaded from the ETSI publications download area: http://pda.etsi.org/pda/ queryform.asp

(15) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999, p. 10.

ANNEX

This annex sets out, for information purposes only, a list of standards and/or specifications the implementation of which is made mandatory under current Directives.

In the present list, the standards and specifications are:

- the leased lines standards that are specified in Annex II of Directive 92/44/EEC,

- quality of service parameters, as established in Annex III of Directive 98/10/EC as amended by Commission Decision of 22 December 2000 on amendment of Annex III of the Directive 98/10/EC.

CHAPTER I

Reference list for leased lines listed in Annex II to Directive 92/44/EEC

In accordance with Article 7 of Directive 92/44/EC, certain organisations are obliged to provide a minimum set of leased lines conforming to the technical specifications given in this list. Following repeal of this Directive on 24 July 2003, these obligations are carried forward in accordance with Article 16(1) of the Universal Service Directive. Obligations regarding the provision of the minimum set of leased lines shall be reviewed in accordance with Article 16(3) and Article 18(1) of that Directive. In accordance with Article 18(2) of the Universal Service Directive, Member States shall withdraw the obligations concerning the provision of leased lines when the relevant market is effectively competitive.

ANALOGUE

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DIGITAL

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CHAPTER II

Quality of service parameters

In accordance with Article 12 of Directive 98/10/EC on the application of open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment as amended by Commission Decision of 22 December 2000 on amendment of Annex III of the Directive 98/10/EC, where at least organisations with significant market power must keep up-to-date information concerning performance based on the quality of service parameters laid down in Annex III of this Directive. Following repeal of this Directive on 24 July 2003, these obligations are carried forward, in accordance with Article 11 of the Universal Service Directive, where operators with universal service obligations must publish adequate and up-to-date information concerning their performance in the provision of universal service, based on the quality of service parameters, definitions and measurement methods set out in Annex III of that Directive.

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