Amended proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION on a series of guidelines for the development of ISDN as a trans-European network
Date: 1994-11-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: communications policy, freedom to provide services, interactive network, telecommunications, third country, trans-European network

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

COM(94)  483  fin«*l-COD  495 
SYH  528 

B r u s s e l s,  1 7 . 1 1 . 1 9 94 

Amended  proposal  for a 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND  COUNCIL  DECISION 

COD 495 

on  a series  of  guidelines  for the development  of  ISDN 
as a trans-European  network 

Amended  proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

SYN 528 

on  the  adoption  of  a multiannual  Community  action  concerning  the 
development  of  ISDN  as a trans-European  network 

(presented  by  the  Commission  pursuant to 
Article  189a(2)  of  the EC  Treaty) 

»:'f! 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

1.4 

1.5 

1.6 

On 1 September  1993, the Commission' adopted its proposals1 for : 

a decision on a series of guidelines 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. 

The  Economic  and  Social  Committee  gave  its  favourable  opinion  on 
21 December  19933. The Committee of the Regions adopted  its  favourable 
opinion on  17/18 May 19944. 

At its first reading on  19 April  1994, the European  Parliament  adopted  in 
total 22 amendments5 to the two  Commission proposals. The amendments 
numbered from  1 to  10 deal with the proposal  on a series of guidelines for 
the development of ISDN as a trans-European  network.  The amendments 
numbered from 11 to 22 deal with the proposal for the adoption of a multi-
annual Community action concerning the development of ISDN as a trans-
European network. 

From the ten amendments concerning the proposal on a series of guidelines 
for  the  development  of  TEN-ISDN  as  a  trans-European  network,  the 
Commission  can  accept  five.  The  Commission  can  accept  a  further 
amendment  but  with  modification  to  the  Parliament  text.  The  remaining 
four amendments cannot be accepted by the Commission. 

From the other twelve amendments concerning the proposal on adopting a 
multi-annual Community action concerning the development  of ISDN as a 
trans-European  network, the Commission can accept  three amendments as 
proposed.  The  Commission  can  accept  a  further  amendment  but  with 
modification  to  the Parliament's  text.  Eight  of  the  amendments  cannot  be 
accepted by the Commission. 

The  rationale for  these decisions  is explained  below.  Annex  1 reproduces 
the  amendments  of  the  European  Parliament  which  were  rejected  by  the 
Commission.  Annex 2 (for  the Guidelines-Decision)  and  Annex 3 (for  the 
Action-Decision) show the "Initial Commission Proposal" (left column) and 
the entire new text of the "Modified  Commission Proposal" (right column). 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 

COM(93) 347 final, 1.09.93 
Integrated Services Digital Network; 
CES 1313/93 
CdR 42/94 
Refer  Delcroix report as adopted 

1.7  Moreover,  in  consideration  of  the  coming  into  force  of  the  Treaty  of  the 
European  Union  on  1.11.1993,  the  provisionally  proposed  legal  basis, 
Article 235  of the Treaty  establishing the European  Economic  Community, 
is  replaced  in both  proposed  decisions  by  Article  129d  (the  first  indent  in 
the  "guidelines"  decision  and  the  second  indent  in the  "action"  decision)  of 
the said former  Treaty. 

PURPOSE  OF THE  PROPOSALS 

One  of  the  goals  of  the  Community's  telecommunications  policy  is  to 
promote  a  telecommunications  infrastructure  based  on 
interconnected 
networks  integrating  a  number  of  harmonised  services  covering  the  whole 
of Europe. 

Since  1984, ISDN is a key element of the Community's  telecommunications 
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  and  the  interoperability  of  a  number  of  basic 
services throughout the Community  are  necessary. 

The two  proposed  decisions contain: 

-  a  series  of  guidelines,  including  the  broadline  of  measures,  objectives, 

priorities and the projects of common  interest  and 

- 

the framework  for  a proposed  Community  action  for  the  implementation 
of  the  projects  of  common  interest,  both  related  to  the  development  of 
ISDN  as a trans-European telecommunications  network. 

The  implementation  of  the  measures  presented  in  this  proposal  to  develop 
ISDN  as  a  trans-European  network  will  have  to  take  into  account  the 
evolution  of the  regulatory  regime. Regulatory  changes in the course  of  the 
said  evolution  which  would  concern  the  development  of  ISDN  will be  fully 
taken  into  account. 

3. 

AMENDMENTS  PROPOSED  BY THE  EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT  (FIRST  READING) 

In the following  sections, the amendments  from  the EP  are distinguished  in 
three classes: 

amendments  accepted  by the  Commission; 
amendments accepted  in principle by the Commission  and 
amendments rejected  by  the Commission. 

3 

3.1 

ACCEPTED  AMENDMENTS 

3.LI  The Commission  accepts the following  amendments: numbers  :  1, 5 (2nd 
part)?  6,  7,  9,  10,  12,  13,  17,  21  (2nd  part)  and  22  (rcf.  annex  1), 
considering that they enhance the Commission's original proposals. 

In line with the intentions of the initial proposal, Amendments No.  1  and 12 
improve the terminology of the text. 

Amendments  No.  5  (2nd  part)  and  17  add  a  reference  to  broad  band 
networks. Broad band networks are the succesor of ISDN and a next  major 
topic  for  transeuropean  telecomunication  networks  and  hence  these 
references are appropriate. 

Amendments  No.  6  and  21  (2nd  part)  propose  that  the  proposal  TEN-
ISDN  covers  also  the  promotion  of  application  software.  Indeed, 
application  software  is  an  important  aspect  for  the  participation  in  a 
transeuropean network or service and worth to be mentioned explicitly. 

Amendment  No.  7  concerns  a  reference  to  conformity  with  Community 
rules and is acceptable to the Commission. 

One  main  feature  of  the  TEN-ISDN  proposal  is  the  access  to  basic 
services. The  amendment  No. 9 introduces the list of five basic services 
so  far  contained  only  in  the  accompanying  communication  into  the  legal 
part of the proposal. This is fully in line with the original intention. 

Amendment No.  10, 13 and 22 address under various angles the promotion 
and  benefits  of  ISDN  usage by  SME's.  As  stated  in  the  initial  proposal, 
SME's  are the first target  group  of  the  proposal  TEN-ISDN,  Therefore 
these three amendments are acceptable. 

All  these  amendments  are  incorporated  into  the  Modified  proposals  in 
order to allow them to be considered by the Council. 

3.2 

AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED IN PRINICPLE 

This section  provides information  concerning those amendments of the EP 
which  have been  accepted  in  principle by the Commission,  but  where  the 
text was revised. 

3.2.1  The  Commission  accepts the  substance  of amendments:  numbers: 2,  5  (3rd 
part),  14,  15  (1st  part),  16 (1st  part),  18, and  19 with  modification  to  the 
text  as proposed  in annex II and  III. The revisions reflect  in many  instances 
editorial aspects like the usage of technical terms. Several items concern the 
extension  of the objectives of the proposed  action to non-Member  States. 

3.2.2  Amendment  2 

The Commission  can accept the reference  to the broad  band  networks 
introduced  by the Parliament.  However,  the Parliament's text might  let 
understand  that the ISDN is not considered  as "Information  Highway". 
Hence, the text is slightly revised to this end. 

3.2.3  Amendment  5. 3rd  part 

The  Commission  can accept,  that  the  applicability  of the  objectives  defined 
by  Article 2  are  extended  beyond  the  member  states.  However,  in the  light 
of  recent  developments,  a  reference  to  the  countries  of  the  European 
Economic  Area  and  to  countries  with  association  agreements  should  be 
made (instead  of referring  to the EFT A states). 

3.2.4  Amendment  14 

The  Commission  accepts  in  principle  the  amendment,  but 
term 
"applications" is replaced  by the term  "services", since it is the services ("S" 
in  ISDN  =  services)  which  are  subject  to  harmonisation  rather  than 
applications. 

the 

3.2.5  Amendment  15. 1st part 

same as Point 3.2.3)  above. 

3.2.6  Amendment  16.  1st part 

The  Commission  supports  the  introduction  of  the  notion  "coordination", 
regarding  the  projects  of  common  interest.  However,  this  coordination 
should  not  be  limited  to  the  definition  of  feasibility  studies  and  their 
conduct,  but  should extend  also to  implementation  aspects. 

3.2.7  Amendment  18 

same as Point  3.2.3)  above. 

y 

3.2.8  Amendment  19 

that 

The  Commission  understands  the  desire  of  the  European  Parliament  to 
ensure 
the  Commission  conducts  such  negotiations  with  non-
Community  member  states  in  consultation  with  special,  committees 
composed  of  representatives  of  the  Member  States.  Article  228,  (1),  first 
paragraph,  second  sentence  of  the  Treaty  provides  for  such  consultations 
and therefore  there is no reason to duplicate this consultation  procedure. 

3.3. 

REJECTED  AMENDMENTS 

3.3.1  Amendment  3 

The  difference  between  this  amendment  concerning  the  necessity  of  a 
Community  action  and  the  initial  text  is  rather  small.  The  initial  text  is 
preferred  because  it  explains  better  the  consequences  of  non-action  at 
Community level. Moreover, the initial text uses the terms  interconnectivity 
and interoperability in a technically more correct  way. 

3.3.2  Amendment  4 

Similarly,  as  for  amendment  3),  the  text  difference  is  rather  small,  but  the 
usage of technical terms in the initial text  is more  correct. 

3.3.3  Amendment  8 

same as Point 3.3.2)  above. 

3.3.4  Amendment  11 

Since  the  standardisation  for  the  ISDN  infrastructure  is  -  by  all  practical 
means  -  finished,  it  is  not  deemed  appropriate  to  include  a  clause  which 
requires  that  this  standardisation  work  takes  account  of 
foreseeable 
technical  developments. 

3.3.5  Amendment  15. 2nd  part 

The  initial text  is preferred  since it speaks of the interconnection  of  ISDN, 
the substance matter of the two  proposals,  as opposed  to the EP 
amendment  which refers  to telecommunications  networks in general. 

3.3.6  Amendment  16. 2nd part 

The proposed action concerns Community support, in the first place from 
the TEN-budget. A formulation  "externally" funded  is hence less 
appropriate. Moreover, the formulation used in the EP amendment, implies 
a possible differentiation  of funding between infrastructure  and services. 
However, the initial proposal is not conceived in that way. 

3.3.7  Amendment  16. 3rd part 

same as Point 3.3.2) above. 

3.3.8  Amendment 20 

Comitology  is  a  horizontal  issue  which  has  to  be  resolved  at  inter-
institutional level. 

3.3.9  Amendment 21.  1st part 

same as Point 3.3.6) above. 

4. 

CONCLUSION 

4.1 

The Commission recommends the Modified  proposals in Annexes  II and 
III for the approval by the European Parliament (1st Decision) and the 
Council. 

Y 

Annex I 

Rejected amendments 

Modified proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on a series of 
guidelines for the development of ISDN as a trans-European network 

Amendment N° 4, 5th recital 

Whereas  it  is  important,  for  the  purpose  of  the  internal  market,  to  facilitate  the 
movement  of goods,  services,  persons  and  capital  between  the  Community  and  non-
Community  countries,  and  more  specifically  the  member  countries  of  the  European 
Free Trade Association; whereas this will lead to intensified  trade relations between the 
economic  operators  of  the  countries  concerned,  whereas  in  turn  this  requires 
cooperation  with those countries  in order to  promote European-wide  connectivity  of 
telecommunications networks and interoperability of ISDN 

Amendment N° 3, 4th recital 

_ 

Whereas appropriate Community action is needed to establish coordination between the 
Member  States  and  those  responsible  for  laying the  basic  infrastructure,  in  order  to 
ensure a harmonised introduction of ISDN services; whereas it is therefore  essential to 
promote interconnection of regional networks and interoperability of ISDN as well as 
substantial availability of compatible basic services 

Amendment N° 5 

Article 2 

On  the  assumption  that  ISDN  facilities  are  available  in  all  the  Member  States,  the 
objectives for the development of ISDN as trans-European are: 

the development of a set of services based on ISDN and conforming to harmonised 
European  standards  referred  to  hereafter  as EURO-ISDN,  with  account  taken  of 
the future introduction of a European broadband communications network: 

the full  geographical  coverage of EURO-ISDN  facilities  in all Member  States and 
member countries of the European Free Trade Association. 

Amendment N° 8 

Article 7 

The  Commission  is  hereby  authorised  to  open  negotiations  with  non-Community 
countries likely to conclude agreement with the Community designed to allow them to 
participate in the projects of common interest referred  to in the Annex and to  improve 
interconnection  of national networks  and  interoperability  of the ISDN  implementation 
between those countries and the Community Member  States. 

8 

Modified  proposal on the adoption of a multi-annual Community  action  concerning 
the development of ISDN as a trans-European network 

Amendment N°  11, 7th recital 

Whereas ISDN is a natural development  of the telephone network; and is an important 
intermediate  stage in technical  development from the telephone  network  to  integrated 
digital broadband  telecommunications: whereas the standardisation  of its  infrastructure 
should as far as possible take account of foreseeable technical advances: 

Amendment N° 15, 12th recital 

Whereas cooperation is also appropriate with non-Community  countries, especially the 
member  countries  of  the  European  Free  Trade  Association,  in  order  to  promote 
projects  of  common  interest  and  to  ensure  interconnection  of  telecommunications 
networks and interoperability of ISDN implementation. 

Amendment N° 16 

__ 

Article 2 

The  objective  of  the  action  is to  support  projects  of  common  interest  concerning  the 
development  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-European  network,  identified  in  Decision  ...;  such 
support shall concern both the coordination required for the implementation of externally 
- and in particular Community - funded  telecommunications infrastructures  (definition  of 
and  feasibility  studies  concerning  projects  of joint  interest  and  the  promotion  of basic 
ISDN facilities in conformity  with the relevant harmonised standards produced by ETSI, 
with a view to ensuring the interconnection of telecommunications networks and the full 
interoperability of ISDN implementations. 

S 

Amendment N° 20 

Article 7 

1.  A  Committee  composed  of  the  representative  of  the  Member  States  (public 
network  operators,  industrialists, service providers  and  users)  and  chaired  by the 
representative  of  the  Commission  shall  be  set  up.  It  shall  act  bv  the  majority 
specified  in  Article  148(2)  of the  EC  Treaty  in the  case  of  decisions  which  the 
Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the 
representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted in the 
manner set out in that Article. The Chairman shall not vote. 

2.  The  Commission  shall  submit  to  Parliament,  represented  by  its  committee 
responsible,  and to  the Council,  represented  bv the  committee  referred  to  in the 
previous paragraph, a draft  of the measures to be taken in implementation  of this 
Decision. 

It may, according to the urgency of the matter, set a deadline bv which Parliament 
and the Council may adopt a position, if they so wish. 

3.  The Commission shall take account of the positions adopted  by the  padiamentary 
committee  and  the  Council  Committee,  it  shall,  if  necessary,  amend  its  draft 
decision.  The  Commission  shall  inform  the  parliamentary  committee  and  the 
Council  committee  of  the  manner  in which  their  positions  have  been  taken  into 
account. 

The  Commission  shall  accordingly  adopt  implementing  measures  which  apply 
immediately. 

ANNEX 

Amendment N° 21 
Annex (1), first and second indents 

projects  of  infrastructural  nature:  precise  definition  of  projects of  common 
interest  and  interest  subsidies  and  loan  guarantees  granted  to  operators 
implementing  the  projects: the  infrastructures  will  be  funded  externally,  in 
particular from Community funds. 

projects  concerning  telematic  services  and  applications  of  trans-frontier 
nature; projects  promoting  the  ISDN  usage  including  promotion  of  ISDN 
terminal and application software availability; 

M> 

Annex II 

Modified  proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on a series of 
guidelines for the development of ISDN as a trans-European network 

.COD  495 

Initial Commission Proposal 

Modified Commission Proposal 

THE 
COUNCIL 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 

OF 

THE 

THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT 
AND THE COUNCIL, 

to 

regard 

the  Treaty 
Having 
establishing  the  European  Economic 
Community,  and  in  particular  Article 
235 thereof; 

to 

regard 

the  Treaty 
Having 
establishing  the  European  Community, 
and  in  particular  Article  129  d.  first 
paragraph, thereof: 

Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission1; 

Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission1; 

— 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
European Parliament, 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Economic and Social Committee; 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Economic and Social Committee; 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Committee of the Regions; 

Whereas the internal market  establishes 
an area without internal frontiers within 
which  the  free  movement  of  goods, 
persons,  services  and  capital  must  be 
guaranteed; whereas in order to  ensure 
each of these freedoms the Community 
acts adopted  or being adopted  provide 
substantial 
for  measures 
interchange 
between 
individuals, economic operators and the 
competent  administrations;  whereas 
such  interchange  can  be  ensured  using 
trans-European networks; 

involving 
data 

of 

Whereas the internal market  establishes 
an area without internal frontiers  within 
which  the  free  movement  of  goods, 
persons,  services  and  capital  must  be 
guaranteed; whereas in order to  ensure 
each of these freedoms the Community 
acts adopted  or being  adopted  provide 
substantial 
for  measures 
interchange 
between 
individuals, economic operators and the 
competent  administrations;  whereas 
such  interchange  can  be  ensured  using 
trans-European networks; 

involving 
data 

of 

Whereas  the  aim  of  establishing  trans-
European  networks  is  to  allow  of  the 
circulation  of  information,  with  a view 
to  enable the proper  functioning  of the 
internal  market  for  all  participants,  in 
particular  the  small  and  medium  sized 
enterprises in the Community; 

Whereas  the  aim  of  establishing  trans-
European  networks  is  to  allow  of  the 
circulation  of  information,  with  a view 
to enable the proper  functioning  of the 
internal  market  for  all  participants,  in 
particular  the  small  and  medium  sized 
enterprises in the Community; 

yH 

Whereas  a  trans-European  ISDN  will 
form a basic element of trans-European 
telecommunications network 

Whereas an ISDN network, as a natural 
development  of the telephone  network, 
will  form  one  of  the  main  elements  of 
telecommunications 
trans-European 
networks 

Whereas the "information highways" of 
i.e.  the  high-
the  next  generation, 
capacity  networks,  will  be  the  subject 
of  Community  actions  to  coordinate 
and  harmonise  their  development  at 
Community and European level 

it 

is 

for 

important, 

Whereas 
the 
purpose  of  the  internal  market,  to 
facilitate 
the  movement  of  goods; 
services,  persons  and  capital  between 
the  Community  and  non-Community 
countries,  and  more  specifically  the 
member countries of the European Free 
Trade  Association;  whereas  this  will 
lead 
trade  relations 
between the economic  operators  of the 
countries  concerned;  whereas  in  turn 
this  requires  cooperation  with  those 
promote 
countries 
order 
in 
European-wide 
and 
interoperability of ISDN; 

connectivity 

intensified 

to 

to 

it 

is 

for 

important, 

Whereas 
the 
purpose  of  the  internal  market,  to 
facilitate 
the  movement  of  goods, 
services,  persons  and  capital  between 
the  Community  and  non-Community 
countries,  and  more  specifically  the 
member countries of the European Free 
Trade  Association;  whereas  this  will 
lead 
trade  relations 
between the economic  operators  of the 
countries  concerned;  whereas  in  turn 
this  requires  cooperation  with  those 
promote 
countries 
order 
in 
European-wide 
and 
interoperability of ISDN; 

connectivity 

intensified 

to 

to 

Whereas 
appropriate  Community 
action  is  needed  to  establish  adequate 
coordination  between 
the  Member 
States  and those  responsible  for  laying 
the  basic  infrastructure,  in  order  to 
ensure  a  harmonised  introduction  of 
ISDN  services;  whereas 
to 
adopt  a  Council  Decision  on  the 
development  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-
European  network  would  be  liable  to 
result  in  a  lack  of  interconnection  and 
national 
interoperability 
networks and in a limited availability  of 
compatible basic services; 

between 

failure 

Whereas 
appropriate  Community 
action  is  needed  to  establish  adequate 
coordination  between 
the  Member 
States  and  those  responsible  for  laying 
the  basic  infrastructure,  in  order  to 
ensure  a  harmonised  introduction  of 
to 
ISDN  services;  whereas 
failure 
the 
adopt  a  Council  Decision  on 
development  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-
European  network  would  be  liable  to 
result  in  a  lack  of  interconnection  and 
national 
interoperability 
networks and in a limited availability  of 
compatible basic services; 

between 

Whereas  the  only  legal  basis  provided 
by  the  Treaty  for  adoption  of  this 
decision lies in Article 235; 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

At 

Article 1 

This Decision  lays  down  the  guidelines 
identifying  the  objectives,  priorities, 
broad  lines  of  measures  and  a  number 
interest 
of  projects 
concerning  the  development  of  ISDN 
as trans-European network. 

common 

of 

This Decision  lays  down  the  guidelines 
identifying 
the  objectives,  priorities, 
broad  lines  of  measures  and  a  number 
interest 
of  projects 
concerning  the  development  of  ISDN 
as trans-European  network. 

common 

of 

Articled 

The  objectives  for  the  development  of 
ISDN as trans-European network are: 

The objectives for the development  of 
ISDN as trans-European network are: 

-  the  availability  of  ISDN  facilities 
including a basic set of services  frilly 
conformant to harmonised European 
standards  referred  to  hereafter  as 
EURO-ISDN; 

-  the development  of  a  set  of  services 
based  on  ISDN  and  conforming  to 
harmonised  European 
standards 
referred  to  hereafter  as~EURO-
ISDN.  with  account  taken  of  the 
future  introduction  of  a  European 
broadband 
communications 
network; 

the  full  geographical  coverage  of 
EURO-ISDN 
all 
Member States 

facilities 

in 

States 

facilities 

-  the  full  geographical  coverage  of 
in 
all 
EURO-ISDN 
Member 
and  member 
countries of the European Economic 
Area  or  countries  which  have 
the 
association  agreements 
Community. 

with 

Article 3 

The priorities for attainment of the 
objectives referred to in Article 2 are as 
follows: 

The priorities for attainment of the 
objectives referred to in Article 2 are as 
follows: 

to 

the 

contribute 

rapid 
to 
availability 
EURO-ISDN 
facilities  for  all  business  users,  in 
particular  small  and  medium  sized 
enterprises; 

of 

to 

the 

contribute 

rapid 
to 
availability 
EURO-ISDN 
facilities  for  all  business  users,  in 
particular  small  and  medium  sized 
enterprises; 

of 

to  maximise  the  usage  of  EURO-
ISDN in the Community; 

to  maximise  the  usage  of  EURO-
ISDN in the Community; 

to  facilitate  the  access  of  the 
peripheral  regions  by  means  of 
EURO-ISDN. 

to  facilitate  the  access  of  the 
peripheral  regions  by  means  of 
EURO-ISDN. 

A}> 

Article 4 

The  broad  lines  of  action  designed  to 
attain  the  objectives  referred  to  in 
Article 2 shall be as follows: 

The  broad  lines  of  action  designed  to 
attain  the  objectives  referred  to 
in 
Article 2 shall be as follows: 

-  elimination  of  bottle-necks  in  the 

roll-out of EURO-ISDN; 

-  to 

ensure 

end-to-end 
the 
interoperability of telematic services; 

- 

ensure 

to 
end-to-end 
interoperability of telematic services; 

the 

-migration  of  public  and  private 
sector applications to EURO-ISDN 

-  migration  of  public  and  private 
sector applications to EURO-ISDN; 

-  promotion  of EURO-ISDN  terminal 
and application software  availability 

-  promotion  of EURO-ISDN  terminal 

-  elimination of bottlenecks in the roll 

availability 

out of EURO-ISDN 

Article 5 

The  development  of  ISDN  as  trans-
European  network  to  be  implemented 
under this Decision  shall be covered by 
projects  of  common 
interest.  The 
projects are set out in Annex 1. 

The  development  of  ISDN  as  trans-
European  network  to  be  implemented 
under this Decision  shall be covered by 
projects  of  common 
interest.  The 
projects are set out in Annex 1. 

Article 6 

The Member  States shall introduce 
the  regulatory  and  organisational 
measures 
the 
implementation  of  ISDN  as  a 
trans-European network. 

allow 

to 

1.  The Member  States shall introduce 
the  regulatory  and  organisational 
measures 
the 
implementation  of  ISDN  as  a 
trans-European network. 

allow 

to 

The  Member  States  shall  encourage 
the  public  network  operators  to 
introduce the infrastructure  required 
for  the  development  of  ISDN  as  a 
trans-European network. 

shall 
States 
The  Member 
the  public  network 
encourage 
the 
introduce 
to 
operators 
infrastructure  required 
the 
development  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-
European  network  in  accordance 
with  Community  rules  and market 
requirements. 

for 

Aij 

likely 
with 

countries 
agreement 

The  Commission  is  hereby  authorised 
open  negotiations  with  non-
to 
to 
Community 
conclude 
the 
Community  designed  to  allow  them  to 
participate  in  the  projects  of  common 
interest  referred  to  in  Annex  1  and  to 
and 
improve 
ISDN 
interoperability 
implementation 
those 
countries  and  the  Community  Member 
States. 

of 
the 
between 

interconnectivity 

Article 7 

the 

The  Commission  is  hereby  authorised 
to  open  negotiations  with  non-
Community countries likely to conclude 
agreement  with 
Community 
designed to allow them to participate in 
interest 
the  projects  of  common 
referred  to  in Annex  1 and  to  improve 
interconnectivity and interoperability  of 
the  ISDN 
implementation  between 
those  countries  and  the  Community 
Member States. 

Article 8 

In  1997, the Commission will carry out 
an  overall  evaluation  of  the  guidelines 
defined  in this  Decision  in  the  light  of 
any change in the regulatory  conditions 
applicable to ISDN. 

In  1997, the Commission will  carry out 
an  overall  evaluation  of  the  guidelines 
defined  in  this  Decision  in the  light  of 
any change in the regulatory  conditions 
applicable to ISDN. 

Article 9 

This  Decision 
Member States. 

is  addressed  to  the 

This  Decision 
Member States. 

is  addressed  to  the 

Article  10 

It  shall  take  effect  21  days  after  its 
publication in the Official  Journal of the 
European Communities. 

It  shall  take  effect  21  days  after  its 
publication in the Official  Journal of the 
European Communities. 

Done at 

Done at 

AC 

ANNEX 

ANNEX 

Projects of common interest concerning 
the  development  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-
European network: 

Projects of common interest concerning 
the  development  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-
European network: 

Elimination  of  bottler-necks  in  the 
roll out of  EURO-ISDN: 

Elimination  of  bottle-necks  in  the 
roll out of  EURO-ISDN: 

Identification  of  "bottle-necks",  eg. 
in  the  roll-out  of  EURO-ISDN  and 
improve 
measures  which 
the 
EURO-ISDN 
of 
availability 
facilities. 

Identification  of  "bottle-necks",  eg. 
in the  roll-out  of  EURO-ISDN  and 
improve 
measures  which 
the 
EURO-ISDN 
of 
availability 
facilities. 

in 

Analysis  of  differences 
the 
existing plans for the introduction  of 
the packet-mode bearer services and 
the 
proposals  which 
these 
harmonisation 
implementations  in a  manner that at 
least  a Community-wide  service  can 
be offered 

aim 
of 

at 

in 

Analysis  of  differences 
the 
existing plans for the introduction  of 
the packet-mode bearer services and 
the 
proposals  which 
these 
harmonisation 
implementations  in  a manner that  at 
least  a Community-wide  service  can 
be offered. 

aim  ~àt 
of 

Development 
applications 
corresponding 
SMEs. 

for 
in 

transborder 
particular 
the  needs  of 

to 

Development 
applications 
corresponding 
SMEs. 

for 
in 

transborder 
particular 
the  needs  of 

to 

Ensure  end-to-end 
of telematic services: 

interoperability 

Ensure  end-to-end 
of telematic services: 

interoperability 

-  Development of a common telematic 
platform with  particular  attention  to 
the six services listed. 

*  Development  of a voluntary EURO-

LABEL. 

-  Development of a common telematic, 
platform  with  particular  attention  to 
the 
(non-
following 
exhaustive list): 

services 

-  transfer of simple data files: 
-  electronic  mail  and  messenger 

services: 
general  access 
(especially videotexO 

to  databases 

-  visiophone services 

- 

fax services fgroup 4) 

At? 

Migration of public and private 
sector applications to EURO-ISDN: 

Migration of public and private 
sector applications to EURO-ISDN: 

Migration  of  existing  or  planned 
TNA applications to EURO-ISDN. 

Migration  of  existing  or  planned 
TNA applications to EURO-ISDN. 

in 

Migration  of  other  applications 
(applications  developed 
the 
context 
other  Community 
of 
measures, eg.  health care networks, 
network  between  scientific  parks, 
dedicated networks like IXI etc.) to 
EURO-ISDN. 

in 

Migration  of  other  applications 
(applications  developed 
the 
context 
other  Community 
of 
measures,  eg.  health care networks, 
network  between  scientific  parks, 
dedicated networks like IXI etc.) to 
EURO-ISDN. 

Migration  of  public  and  private 
sector  applications  operated  on 
other networks to EURO-ISDN. 

Migration  of  public  and  private 
sector  applications  operated  on 
other networks to EURO-ISDN. 

Promotion  of  EURO-ISDN  terminal 

availability: 

Promotion  of  EURO-ISDN  terminal 

availability: 

Analysis  of  EURO-ISDN  terminal 
requirements 
in  the  context  of 
market needs. 

Analysis  of  EURO-ISDN  terminal 
requirements 
in  the  context  of 
market needs. 

Promotion  of  the  availability  of 
EURO-ISDN terminals. 

Promotion  of  the  availability  of 
EURO-ISDN terminals. 

Pilot  experiment  of 
the  Euro 
(E.I.C.): 
Centres 
Information 
cost/benefit  analysis and subsequent 
feasibility  study  of  a  generalisation 
of ISDN amongst the E.I.C. 

Training of staff with a view to the 
dissemination  and  introduction  of 
EURO-ISDN  terminals,  especially 
as regards SMEs. 

Development  of  1-Stop  shopping 
and  billing  principles  for  EURO-
ISDN. 

-  Development  of  1-Stop  shopping 
and  billing  principles  for  EURO-
ISDN. 

At 

Annex  in 

Modified proposal for a Council Decision on the adoption of a multi-annual 
Community action concerning the development of ISDN as a trans-European 

network  SYN  528 

THE COUNCIL OF THE 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 

THE 
EUROPEAN UNION, 

COUNCIL 

OF 

THE 

to 

regard 

Having 
the  Treaty 
establishing  the  European  Economic 
Community,  and  in  particular  Article 
235 thereof; 

to 

regard 

Having 
the  Treaty 
establishing  the European  Community, 
and  in  particular  Article  129  d.  third 
paragraph, thereof: 

Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission1; 

Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission1; 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
European Parliament2; 

In cooperation with the European Parliament,2 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Economic and Social Committee3; 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Economic and Social Committee3; 

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the 
Committee of the Regions; 

the  Council  adopted  a 
Whereas 
Decision  [...]4  on  a series of guidelines 
for  the  development  of  ISDN  as  a 
trans-European network; 

the  Council  adopted  a 
Whereas 
Decision  [...]4 on a series of guidelines 
for  the  development  of  ISDN  as  a 
trans-European network; 

Whereas the  Council  Recommendation 
86/659/EEC5  calls  for  the  availability 
of  a  set  of  European-wide  compatible 
ISDN  offerings  which  is  also  the 
of 
subject 
a  Memorandum 
Understanding  (MoU)  between 
the 
public 
telecommunications  networks 
operators; 

of 

Whereas the  Council  Recommendation 
86/659/EEC5 calls for the availability of 
a  set  of  European-wide  compatible 
ISDN  offerings  which  is  also  the 
of 
subject 
a  Memorandum 
Understanding  (MoU)  between 
the 
public 
telecommunications  networks 
operators; 

of 

Whereas the Council Resolution of 
18.07.896 alls for the strengthening of 
the coordination of the ISDN in the 
European Community up to 1992; 

Whereas  the  Council  Resolution  of 
18.07.896 calls for the strengthening of 
the  coordination  of  the  ISDN  in  the 
European Community up to 1992; 

Whereas the Council Recommendation 
of 05.06.19927 calls for the application 
of the open network access principles 
to ISDN; 

Whereas the  Council  Recommendation 
of 05.06.19927 calls for the application 
of  the  open  network  access  principles 
to ISDN; 

OJ ... 
OJ ... 
OJ ... 
OJ ... 
OJL382,  31.12,89, p. 36 
OJ (89/C 196704) 
OJ No. L 200/10 from 18.07.92; 

m 

AS 

Whereas the Council in its Resolution 
from  05.06.19928 has recognised  the 
importance  of developing ISDN in the 
context  of trans-European  networks; 

Whereas  the  Council  in  its  Resolution 
from  05.06.19928  has  recognised  the 
importance  of  developing  ISDN  in  the 
context  of trans-European  networks; 

Whereas  the  Council  in  its  Resolution 
from  7  December  19929  regarding  the 
means  to  ensure  the  good  functioning 
of  the  internal  market  has  stressed  the 
urgency  to  reinforce  the  telematics  and 
other communications  networks; 

Whereas  the  Council  in  its  Resolution 
from  7  December  19929  regarding  the 
means  to  ensure  the  good  functioning 
of  the  internal  market  has  stressed  the 
urgency  to  reinforce  the  telematics  and 
other communications  networks; 

Whereas  ISDN  is  conceived  as  the 
general 
switched  telecommunications 
network  evolved  out  of  the  telephone 
network; 

Whereas  ISDN  is  conceived  as  the 
general 
switched  telecommunications 
network  evolved  out  of  the  telephone 
network; 

Whereas  the  availability  of  a  modern 
telecommunications  infrastructure  is  an 
important 
the 
economic  actors  to  take  full  benefit 
from 
internal 
frontiers; 

the  market  without 

enable 

factor 

to 

Whereas  the  availability  of  a  modern 
is  an 
telecommunications  network 
important 
the 
factor 
economic  actors  to  take  full  benefit 
from 
internal 
frontiers; 

the  market  without 

enable 

to 

implementations  of 
Whereas  current 
ISDN  have  an  insufficient  degree  of 
harmonisation,  which  hinders, 
for 
example,  the  free  movement  of  ISDN 
terminal  equipment; 

Whereas  ISDN  is  a  network  which  is 
already operational  at  high  performance 
levels,  and  whose  potential  should  be 
exploited  to  the  full,  especially  to  the 
benefit  of the general public and  SMUs: 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  to  harmonise 
services  to  a  sufficient  degree  so  as  to 
favour  the  free  movement  of  ISDN 
terminal  equipment: 

Whereas  the  availability  of  end-to-end 
compatible  basic  service  (other  than 
voice) is insufficiently  developed; 

Whereas  the  availability  of  end-to-end 
compatible  basic  service  (other  than 
voice) is insufficiently  developed; 

for 

Whereas there is a need  for  coordinated 
action 
of 
compatible  pan-European  services,  so 
as  to  reinforce  the  competitiveness  of 
European  industry; 

deployment 

the 

for 

Whereas there is a need  for  coordinated 
action 
of 
compatible  pan-European  services,  so 
as  to  reinforce  the  competitiveness  of 
European  industry; 

deployment 

the 

is 

cooperation 

also 
Whereas 
non-Community 
appropriate  with 
countries,  in  order  to  promote  projects 
of  common 
to  ensure 
interest  and 
interconnectivity  and  interoperability  of 
ISDN  implementations; 

is 

especially 

cooperation 

also 
Whereas 
non-Communitv 
appropriate  with 
countries, 
the  member 
countries  of  the  European  Economic 
Area  and  countries  with  association 
agreements:  whereas 
in  accordance 
with  Article  228.  (1).  first  paragraph, 
second  sentence  of  the  Treaty,  it  is 
the  Commission  shall 
provided 
conduct 
in 
negotiations 
consultation  with  special  committees 
appointed  by  the  Council  to  assist  in 
this  task  within  the  framework  of  such 
directives  as  the  Council  may  issue_tp 
it. 

these 

that 

OJ (92/C  158/1) from  25.06.92; 
OJ C 334 from  1812.92, p.  1-3; 

A°> 

network;  whereas 

Whereas  the  Community  consequently 
needs  to  establish  a framework for  the 
contribution  of  the  Community  to  thé 
implementation  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-
European 
the 
objectives  of  the  proposed  measures 
cannot  be  adequately  attained  by  the 
Member  States and therefore,  by virtue 
of the  scale  and scope  of the  measures 
in  question,  are  best  carried  out  at 
Community level; 

Whereas  the  only  legal  basis  provided 
by  the  Treaty  for  adoption  of  this 
Decision lies in Article 235; 

network;  whereas 

Whereas  the  Community  consequently 
needs  to  establish  a framework for  the 
contribution  of  the  Community  to  the 
implementation  of  ISDN  as  a  trans-
European 
the 
objectives  of  the  proposed  measures 
cannot  be  adequately  attained  by  the 
Member States and therefore,  by virtue 
of the  scale and scope  of the  measures 
in  question,  are  best  carried  out  at 
Community level; 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

A  multi-annual  Community  action 
TEN-ISDN  as  defined  in  Annex  1, 
hereinafter  referred  to as  the  "action", 
is  hereby  adopted.  It  shall  run  five 
years from  the date of this Decision. 

A  multi-annual  Community  action 
TEN-ISDN  as  defined  in  Annex  1, 
hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  "action", 
is hereby adopted. It shall run five years 
from  the date of this Decision. 

Article 2 

is  to 
The  objective  of  the  action 
support  projects  of  common  interest 
concerning  the  development  of  ISDN 
as a trans-European network,  identified 
in  Decision  [...]10;  such  support  shall 
relate  to  the  implementation  of  ISDN 
facilities in conformity with the relevant 
harmonized  standards  produced  by 
ETSI,  with  a  view  to  ensure  the  full 
interconnectivity  and interoperability  of 
ISDN implementations. 

is  to 
The  objective  of  the  action 
support  projects  of  common  interest 
concerning  the  development  of  ISDN 
as a trans-European network,  identified 
in Decision [...]*° such support shall  be 
coordinated 
the 
projects  of  common  interest  and  the 
implementation  EURO-ISDN  facilities 
relevant 
in 
harmonized  standards  produced  by 
ETSI,  with  a  view  to  ensure  the  full 
interconnectivity  and interoperability  of 
ISDN implementations. 

concerning  both 

conformity  with 

the 

The contents of the action is set out in 
the Annex. 

The contents of the action is set out in 
the Annex. 

Article 3 

10 

OJ 

&JD 

Article 4 

policies 

The  implementation  of  the  action 
shall  be  closely  coordinated  with 
Community 
and 
requirements  of  users,  notably 
sized 
and  medium 
small 
the 
arising 
enterprises, 
endeavour  to  exploit  the freedoms 
of  the 
internal  market  without 
frontiers. 

from 

policies 

1.  The  implementation  of  the  action 
shall  be  closely  coordinated  with 
Community 
and 
requirements  of  users,  notably 
sized 
and  medium 
small 
the 
arising 
enterprises, 
endeavour to  exploit  the  freedoms 
of  the 
internal  market  without 
frontiers. 

from 

2.  This 

coordination 

shall  apply 
notably  to  the  following  areas: 
networks 
trans-European 
and 
services, 
standardisation, 
identification  of user requirements, 
legal  and  data  protection  aspects 
raised  by 
introduction  of 
ISDN. 

the 

2.  This 

the 

coordination 

shall  apply 
notably  to  the  following  areas: 
networks 
trans-European 
and 
services, 
standardisation, 
identification  of user requirements, 
legal  and  data  protection  aspects 
raised  by 
introduction  of 
ISDN.  Account  shall  also be taken 
this  coordination  of  R&D 
in 
activities  and  results  under  the 
specific  ~  R&D 
Community's 
for 
programmes 
telecommunications  and  telematics 
the 
networks  with  a  view  to 
subsequent 
to 
a 
broadband 
communications 
network. 

transition 

The  Commission  is  hereby  authorised 
to  negotiate  agreements  with  non-
Community  countries  with  a  view  to 
their  full  or  partial  involvement  in  the 
action. 

Article 5 

The  Commission  is  hereby  authorised 
to  negotiate  agreements  with  non-
Community  countries,  in  particular  the 
member  countries  of  the  European 
Economic  Area  and  countries  with 
association 
the 
Community, with a view to their full  or 
partial involvement  in the  Community's 
multi-annual action. 

agreements  with 

Z* 

1.  The 

Commission 

be 
responsible  for  the  implementation 
of the action. 

shall 

Article 6 

1.  The 

Commission 

be 
responsible  for  the  implementation 
of the action. 

shall 

2.  The procedure laid down in Article 

7  shall apply to  :  . 

2.  The procedure laid down in Article 

7  shall apply to : 

the  drawing  up  of  the  work 
programme 
feasibility 
for 
studies; 

-. 

the  drawing  up  of  the  work 
programme 
feasibility 
studies; 

for 

- 

the 
adoption 
recommendations 
feasibility studies; 

of 
of 

the 
the 

the  establishment  of  criteria 
for  the  assessment  of  the 
action; 

the 
adoption 
recommendations 
feasibility studies; 

of 
of 

the 
the 

the  establishment  of  criteria 
for  the  assessment  of  the 
action; 

Article 7 

1.  The  Commission  shall  be  assisted 
by  a  committee  of  an  advisory 
nature 
the 
representatives  of  the  Member 
a 
States 
representative of the Commission. 

composed 

chaired 

and 

by 

of 

1.  The  Commission  shall  be  assisted 
by  a  committee  of  an  advisory 
nature 
the 
the  Member 
representatives  of 
a 
by 
States 
representative of the Commission. 

composed 

chaired 

and 

of 

2.  The  Commission  representative 
shall  submit  to  the  committee  a 
draft  of measures to be taken.  The 
committee  shall  deliver  its  opinion 
on  the  draft,  voting  if  necessary, 
within  a  time 
limit  which  the 
chairman may set depending on the 
urgency of the matter concerned. 

2.  The  Commission  representative 
shall  submit  to  the  committee  a 
draft of measures to be taken.  The 
committee  shall  deliver  its, opinion 
on  the  draft,  voting  if  necessary, 
within  a  time 
limit  which  the 
chairman may set depending on the 
urgency of the matter concerned. 

The opinion of the committee shall 
be  recorded  in  the  minutes;  each 
Member  State  shall  be  entitled  to 
ask  for  its  opinion  to  be  recorded 
in the minutes. 

The opinion of the committee  shall 
be  recorded  in  the  minutes;  each 
Member  State  shall  be  entitled  to 
ask  for  its  opinion  to  be  recorded 
in the minutes. 

The Commission  shall give  serious 
consideration  to  the  committee's 
opinion. 
the 
shall 
committee  of  how  it  has  taken 
account of the opinion. 

inform 

It 

The Commission  shall  give  serious 
consideration  to  the  committee's 
opinion. 
the 
shall 
committee  of  how  it  has  taken 
account of the opinion. 

inform 

It 

3.  The  committee  may  examine  any 
the 

question 
development of ISDN as TEN. 

relation 

in 

to 

3.  The  committee  may  examine  any 
the 

question 
development of ISDN as TEN. 

relation 

in 

to 

IPU 

Article 8 

Every  year  the  Commission  shall 
report  on  the  activities  to  the 
Council 
the  European 
Parliament. 

and 

At  the  end  of  the  action,  the 
Commission  shall  present  a  final 
report  to  the  Council  and  the 
European  Parliament,  including  an 
assessment  of  the  extent  to  which 
each  of  the  objectives  laid  down 
for the action has been attained, on 
the  basis  of  criteria  established  in 
accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 7  and propose any 
further  action  which  may  be 
needed. 

1.  Every  year  the  Commission  shall 
report  on  the  activities  to  the 
Council 
European 
Parliament. 

and 

the 

At  the  end  of  the  action,  the 
Commission  shall  present  a  final 
report  to  the  Council  and  the 
European  Parliament,  including  an 
assessment  of  the  extent  to  which 
each  of  the  objectives  laid  down 
for the action has been attained,  on 
the  basis  of  criteria  established  in 
accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 7  and propose any 
further  action  which  may  be 
needed. 

Article 9 

This  Decision 
Member States. 

is  addressed  to  the 

This  Decision 
Member States. 

is  addressed  to  the 

Article 10 

It shall take effect 21 days after its 
publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Committees. 

It shall take effect 21 days after its 
publication in the Official  Journal of the 
European Committees. 

Done at Brussels.... 

Done at Brussels.... 

2-b 

ANNEX 

The TEN-ISDN  Action consists  of 
the  implementation  of  projects  of 
common interest  eligible under the 
in 
series  of  guidelines  defined 
Council  Decision 
and 
measures ensuring interoperability. 

[...] 

1.  The TEN-ISDN  Action consists  of 
the  implementation  of  projects  of 
common  interest  eligible under the 
in 
series  of  guidelines  defined 
Council  Decision 
and 
measures ensuring interoperability. 

[...] 

Three  categories  of  action  can  be 
distinguished: 

Four  categories  of  action  can  be 
distinguished: 

-•  projects 
nature; 

of 

infrastructural 

- 

projects 
nature; 

of 

infrastructural 

projects  concerning  telematic 
services  and  applications  of 
trans-frontier  nature;  projects 
promoting  the  ISDN  usage 
including  promotion  of  ISDN 
terminal availability; 

projects  concerning  telematic 
services  and  applications  of 
trans-frontier  nature;  projects 
promoting  the  ISDN  usage 
including  promotion  of  ISDN 
terminal 
application 
software  availability; 

and 

measures  concerning  the  end-
to-end  compatibility  of  a 
basic 
limited 
telematic 
and 
corresponding 
terminal 
equipment; 

of 
services 

range 

-  measures  concerning  the  end-
compatibility  of  a 
basic 
of 
and 
services 
terminal 

to-end 
limited 
telematic 
corresponding 
equipment; 

range 

for 

support 
promotion 
campaigns  for  EURO-ISDN 
directed  at  the  general  public 
and  professionals  (especially 
SMEs): 

Projects of common interest can be 
supported by feasibility studies and 
by support for implementation. 

2.  Projects of common interest can be 
supported by feasibility  studies and 
by support for implementation. 

Feasibility  studies  for  projects  of 
common 
normally 
interest 
comprise the following phases: 

Feasibility  studies  for  projects  of 
common 
normally 
interest 
comprise the following phases: 

analysing 
(eg. bottle-necks); 

the 

requirements 

analysing 
(eg. bottle-necks); 

the 

requirements 

definition  of the action; 

definition  of the action; 

technical 
specification 
requirements (in some cases); 

of 

technical 
specification 
requirements (in some cases); 

of 

preparation  of  an  action  plan 
including  the  methods  suited 
for 
the 
implementation  of 
project; 

- 

preparation  of  an  action  plan 
including  the  methods  suited 
for 
the 
implementation  of 
project; 

£H 

validation,  on a small  scale,  of 
the  essential  functions  of  the 
solutions  adopted  (in  some 
cases); 

validation,  on a small  scale,  of 
the  essential  functions  of  the 
solutions  adopted  (in  some 
cases); 

assessment  of 
obtained. 

the 

results 

assessment  of 
obtained. 

the 

results 

In addition to the feasibility  studies 
there will be regular monitoring  of 
the 
and  measures 
undertaken  in  the  context  of  this 
action. 

projects 

In addition to the feasibility  studies 
there will  be  regular  monitoring  of 
the 
and  measures 
undertaken  in  the  context  of  this 
action. 

projects 

for 

support 

Community 
the 
implementation  of  projects  of 
in 
common 
particular the form  of  interest  rate 
subsidies and loan guarantees. 

interest  may  take 

for 

support 

Community 
the 
implementation  of  projects  of 
in 
common 
particular the form  of  interest  rate 
subsidies and loan guarantees. 

interest  may  take 

3.  The  measures 

to 

interoperability consist in: 

ensure 

3.  The  measures 

to 

interoperability consist in: 

ensure 

contribution 
the 
development  of  prototypes 
and software  functions; 

to 

promotion  of 
interoperable 
solutions  specifically  by  the 
set up of a EURO-Label; 

contribution 
the 
development  of  prototypes 
and software functions; 

to 

promotion  of 
interoperable 
solutions  specifically  by  the 
set up of a EURO-Label; 

interoperability testing; 

interoperability testing; 

standardisation work; 

standardisation work; 

incorporating  relevant  R&D 
results 
from 
notably 
Community programmes; 

incorporating  relevant  R&D 
results 
from 
notably 
Community programmes; 

and the flanking measures: 

and the flanking measures: 

support  for  awareness  for  the 
notion interoperability; 

support  for  awareness  for  the 
notion interoperability; 

organisational  support  for  the 
implementation  of  the  above 
measures. 

organisational  support  for  the 
implementation  of  the  above 
measures. 

zç 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

Item  B5-720: 
Trans-European  networks  in  t he  field  of  telecommunications:  ISDN 

1. 

TITLE OF  OPERATION: 

Trans-European  networks  in  the  field  of  telecommunications. 

Community  contribution  to  the  implementation  of the  m a s t er  p l an  adopted 
for  certain  priority trans-European  telecommunications  networks. 

2.  BUDGET  HEADING  INVOLVED: 

B5-720 

N.B.: 

Although  this  budget  heading  also  covers  types  of  networks 
other 
financial 
the  particulars  given 
statement  refer  only to  ISDN. 

t h an  ISDN, 

this 

in 

3.  LEGAL BASIS:  . 

-  Council  recommendation  86/  659/EEC  of 22  December  1986  on  the 

coordinated 
in  the  European  Community  (OJ L 382,  31.12.1986,  p.  36). 

introduction  of  the  Integrated  Services  Digital  Network  (ISDN) 

-  Council  Decision  87/95/EEC 

the  field  of information 
7.2.1987,  p.  31). 

technology  and  telecommunications 

of 22  December  1986  on  standardization 
(OJ  L  36, 

in 

-  Council  resolution  of  18  July  1989  on  the  strengthening  of  the  coordination 
for  the  introduction  of the  Integrated  Services  Digital  Network  (ISDN) in  the 
European  Community  up  to  1992  (OJ  C  196,  1.8.1989,  p.  4). 

-  Council  resolution  of 22  January  1990  concerning 
(OJ  C'27,  6.2.1990,  p.  8). 

networks 

trans-European 

-  Council  Directive  90/387/EEC 

of 28  June  1990  on  the  establishment 

of 

the  internal  market  for  telecommunications 
implementation  of  open  network  provision  (OJ L  192,  24.7.1990,  p.  1). 

services 

through 

the 

-  Commission  Directive  90/388/EEC 
markets  for  telecommunications 

of  28  June  1990  on  competition 
services  (OJL  192,  24.7.1990,  p.  10). 

in  the 

-  Communication  of  10  December  1990  from  the  Commission 

and  the  European  Parliament  entitled  "Towards  trans-European 
For  a  Community  action  programme" 

[COM(90)585  final]. 

to  the  Council 
-

networks 

-  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  (EEC) presented  by  the  Commission  on 

24  February  1992  introducing  a  declaration  of European 
facilitate 
telecommunications 

the  establishment  of  trans-European  networks 

domain  (OJ  C  71,  20.3.1992,  p.  12.). 

interest 

to 

in  the 

U 

-  Conclusions  of the  Council  of 31  March  1992  on trans-European 

networks. 

-  Council  resolution  of S June  1992  on the  development  of ISDN in  the 

Community  as  a European-wide 
1993  and  beyond  (OJC158, 

25.6.1992,  p.  1). 

telecommunications 

infrastructure 

for 

-  Council  resolution  of 7 December  1992  on making  the  Single  Market  work 

(OJC334, 

18.12.1992,  pp.  1-3). 

-  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  of (.../.../...)  on a set  of guidelines  for  the 

development  of ISDN in the  Community  as a  trans-European 

network. 

-  Proposal  for  a Council  Decision  off.../.../...) 

introducing  a  multiannual 

Community  action for  the  development  of ISDN as  a 
network  fTEN-ISDN). 

trans-European 

-  Proposal  for  a Council  Regulation  laying  down  general  rules  for  granting  of 
Community  aid in the  field  of transeuropean  networks  (COM(94)  62  final  of 
2.03.1994); 

-  Communication  from, the  Commission  to the European  Parliament  and  the 
Council  on "Europe's way  to the  information  society.  An action  plan.  (COM 
(94)  347final  of 

19.07.1994). 

-  Article  129  d  of the  Treaty  of the  European  Community. 

4.  DESCRIPTION  OF OPERATION 

4.1  Specific  objectives  of  operation: 

-  To carry  o ut an  operation  representing  the  Community's 

contribution  to the establishment  a nd development  of  t r a n s-
European  networks  in the  field  of telecommunications,  particularly 
with  regard  to the Integrated  Services  Digital  Network  (ISDN). 

The  purpose  of the  operation  is to contribute  to the  harmonized 
development  of the  abovementioned  networks  a nd to t he 
availability  of certain  basic  services  throughout  the Community  in 
order  to enable  operators  to participate  fully  in an  internal  market 
without  frontiers. 

A second  p a rt  of the Community  activity  is intended  to assist  t he 
interconnection  of such  networks  a nd interoperability  of  these 
basic  services  which  are accessible  via such  networks.  It  consists 
in  defining,  for each  area,  a  master  plan  of t he  trans-European 
network  (such  a  plan  already  exists  for ISDN)  a nd then  to 
implement  t he Community's  contribution  to t he establishment  of 
this  network,  while  coordinating the activities  contributing  to  this 
operation  in t he Member  States,  which  will be  called  u p on  to 
provide  the bulk  of the necessary  investment  to those  involved  in 
this  operation,  consistent  with  the principle  of  subsidiarity. 

-  The Community  contribution  will  chiefly  be in  the form  of  feasibility 
studies  leading  to a  precise  definition  of projects  of joint  interest, 
and  subsequently  in the form  of interest  rebates  a nd  loan 
guarantees  granted  to those  involved  to carry  out s u ch  projects. 
The  Community  contribution  covers  projects  of joint  interest  a nd 
activities  to promote  interconnection  of networks  a nd 
interoperability  of basic  services. 

#Y 

Given the  scale  of the  investment  required  for the  setting up  of  a 
general  infrastructure  and  in view  of the  forms  of  support  being 
considered,  the  Community  contribution  can  only  have  a 
stimulating  effect  which will  supplement  the  efforts  being made  at 
national  level. 

Although  a  relatively  small  percentage,  the  Community  contribution 
is  necessary,  since  without  it there  is  an  obvious  danger  of 
insufficient  harmonization  and  delay  in  deployment. 

4.2  Duration:  1993-1997 

4.3  Target population:  public  network  operators,  providers  of 

telecommunications  services,  systems  and  software  manufacturers, 
users. 

5,  CLASSIFICATION  OF EXPENDITURE OR  REVENUE 

5.1  Non-compulsory 

expenditure 

5.2  Differentiated 

appropriations 

5.3  Type  of revenue  involved:  not  applicable 

6. TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 

6.1  Normally,  the  feasibility  studies  and  provision  of the  necessary 
services  for implementing  the  work  programme  will  be  wholly 
financed;  the  studies  will be  approved  according  to  the  standard 
Commission  procedures  (invitation  to  tender,  CCPC). 

6.2  Subsidy for joint  financing with  other  sources  in  the  public  and/or 

private  sector: 

-  Generally  none 

6.3  Interest  subsidy: 

-  Interest  subsidies  may  be  granted  to  those  involved  in  the  sector 

taking part in the  implementation  of projects  of common  interest. 

6.4  Other: 

-  Provision  has  also  been  made  for loan  guarantees. 

-  Assistance  will be  sought  from  other  Community  financial 

instruments  (i.e.  the  Structural  Funds,  temporary  loan  instrument, 
etc.). 

6.5  Should  the  operation  prove  an  economic  success,  is  there  provision 

for  all  or part  of the  Community  contribution  to  be  reimbursed?:  No. 

JtS 

6.6  Will the  proposed  operation  cause  any  change  in  the  level  of  revenue? 

No. 

7.  FINANCIAL IMPACT 

7.1  Method  of calculating  the  total  cost  of the  operation  for  the  1994 

financial  year: 

In  1994  ECU 7  million will be  earmarked  for feasibility  studies,, with 
an  average  of ECU  5 00  0 00  per  study  in  the  field  of ISDN  . 

7.2  Breakdown  of the  individual  components  of the  operation 

BREAKDOWN 

1993  BUDGET 

PDB  1994 

CHANGE  IN  % 

Studies 

ECU  5  million 

ECU 7  million 

+  4 0% 

Interest  subsidies 

TOTAL 

ECU  5  million 

ECU 7  million 

7.3  Operational  expenditure  on  studies,  meetings  of experts,  etc.  included 

in part  B 

BREAKDOWN 

1993  BUDGET 

PDB  1994 

CHANGE  IN  % 

Studies 

Meetings  of  experts 

Conferences/ 
congresses 

Information/ 
publications 

TOTAL 

0 

0 

0 

ECU  100.000 

ECU  100.000 

ECU  2 0 0 . 0 00 

& 

7.4  Indicative schedule  of commitment appropriations 

ItemB5-720 
Trans-European networks in the field of telecommunications:  ISDN 

INDICATIVE  SCHEDU1 

LE 

Budget 

PDB 

TOTAL 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

Consoli 
dated 
situation 

end 
1992 

(l) 

0 

5 

7 

19 

26 

30 

87 

(1)  Including implementation of mini-budgets for 1991 and  1992 charged to subheading 8 8. 

^o 

8.  WHAT ANTI-FRAUD  MEASURES  ARE  PLANNED  IN THE  PROPOSAL  FOR 

THE  OPERATION? 

The  relevant  Commission  departments  will verify  the  proper  implementation 
of the  feasibility  studies  prior  to  payment,  taking  into  account  contractual 
obligations  and  principles  of good  management. 

In  conjunction  with  the  relevant  Commission  departments  suitable  audit 
methods  will  be  devised  to  deal  with  interest  subsidies  and  loan 
guarantees. 

9.  ELEMENTS  OF  COST-EFFECTIVENESS  ANALYSIS 

9.1  Objectives 

The  aim  of this  operation  is  to  encourage  those  involved  in  this  sector 
in  their  efforts  to  achieve  interoperability  a nd  interconnection  of 
national  ISDN  networks.  The  aim  of the  Community  contribution  is  to 
stimulate  investment  in  these  sectors  of the  order  of billions  of ecus  in 
the  medium  term.  However,  in  1993  a nd  1994  the  operation  will 
concentrate  mainly  on  carrying  out  feasibility  studies  for  projects  of 
common  interest  which,  when  implemented  in  s u b s e q u e nt  years, 
should  generate  the  necessary  investment. 

The  operation  is  divided  into  two  parts.  The  first  concerns  support 
activities  for  projects  of  common  interest  and  its  aim  is  the  rapid  and 
harmonized  establishment  of  the  infrastructure  a nd  basic  services. 
The  second  part  relates  to  horizontal  activities,  including  support  for 
interconnection  of networks  a nd  interoperability  of  basic  services. 

9.2  Grounds  for  the  operation 

The  purpose  of this  operation  is  to  endow  the  Community  with  the 
modern  m e a ns  of  communciation  which  are  essential  to  its  economic 
development.  Availability  of advanced  telecommunications  networks 
in  this  particular  field,  involving  multipurpose  networks,  is  essential  if 
operators  are  to  take  advantage  of the  opportunities  to  expand  their 
activities,  the  economies  of scale  provided  by  the  large  Community 
market  and  the  free  movement  of goods,  persons,  services  a nd  capital. 
Small  businesses  in  particular  (of which  there  are  some  ten  million  in 
the  Community),  whose  key  role  in  economic  growth  is  acknowledged, 
are  dependent  on  the  availability  of a  universal  infrastructure. 

Given  that  the  services  market  is  competitive  (except  for  telephone 
services  at  the  present  time),  a  non-regulatory  approach  is  indicated. 

Experience  of recent  years  h as  shown  that  in  the  absence  of  any 
mechanism  in  this  area  at  European  level  to  ensure  harmonized 
development,  particularly  of certain  basic  services,  Community  action 
is  necessary.  In  order  to  promote  such  coordination  at  European 
level,  Community  financing  m u st  also  be  made  available.  This 
Community  support  will  be  for  a  limited  period  a nd  will  be  provided  at 
the  early  stages  to  get  the  mechanism  off  to  a  good  start. 
Furthermore,  a  financial  contribution  for  the  development  of  less-
favoured  regions  is  consistent  with  the  aims  of this  operation. 

Should  these  m e a s u r es  not  be  taken  in  good  time,  the  development  of 
ISDN  in  the  Member  States  might  be  less  effective  because  it  would 
not  be  in  general  use  and  the  basic  services  would  not  be  compatible. 

3-/ 

In  every  case,  experience  h as  shown  that  taking  action  after  the  event 
to  rectify  the  lack  of  harmonization  in  such  a  development  would 
prove  more  costly. 

Proper  coordination  between  the  Member  States,  which  is  intrinsic  to 
Community  action,  is  necessary  in  order  to  ensure  consistency 
between  what  is  being  done  at  national  level  a nd  Community  action. 
The  principle  of subsidiarity  applies  fully  in  this  case. 

9.3  Monitoring  and  evaluation  of the  operation. 

Each  feasibility  study  m u st  state  its  exact  objectives  a nd  define 
specific  projects.  The  effectiveness  of the  operation  will ultimately  be 
judged  by  the  a m o u nt  of investment  forthcoming  from  those  involved 
in  the  sector. 

All operations  will  be  evaluated  on  an  a n n u al  b a s is  (report).  The 
a s s e s s m e nt  will be  based  on  objective  criteria  which  will be  drawn  up 
by  a  committee  monitoring  the  implementation  of  the  operation. 

Moreover,  the  introduction  of  RNIS in  the  Member  States  of  the 
Community  is  the  subject  of an  a n n u al  report  established  by  the 
Commission,  based  on  the  Council  Recommendation  of  22  December 
1986. 

9.4  Consistency  with  financial  planning 

Provision  for  this  operation  h as  been  made  in  the  multiannual 
financial  programme  u n d er  the  heading Trans-European  Networks. 

10.  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENDITURE  (PART A OF THE  BUDGET) 

10.1  Will the  proposed  operation  call  for  additional  Commission  staff?  If  so, 

how  many? 

Yes. The  first  stage  will  be  to  launch  feasibility  studies,  at  a 
preparatory  level,  in  1993,  and  then  on  a  full  scale  in  1994. 
Assuming  that  ten  or  so  studies  will  be  carried  out  for  ISDN, 
approximately  eight  staff  (four  A, one  B and  three  C) will  be  necessary 
for  management  as  of  1994.  In  addition,  coordination  between 
Member  States  and  financial  engineering  (setting  up  of  interest 
subsidy  and  loan  guarantee  operations)  will  call  for  a  further  three 
staff  (one A,  one  B  and  one  C).  Overall,  five  staff  (two A,  one  B, two  C) 
should  be  Commission  officials,  with  the  remainder  being  employed 
on  a  non-statutory  basis. 

Total:  Four  A,  two  B and  four  C. 

10.2  Indicate  the  amount  of  staff  and  administrative  expenditure  involved 

in  the  proposed  operation. 

In  the  light  of what  h as  been  said  u n d er  10.1,  six  category  A staff  will 
have  to  be  provided  in  the  form  of seconded  national  officials  or 
experts  and  three  category  C  staff  as  temporary  secretaries. 

Committee  meetings:  Some  five  meetings  a  year  of  the  Consultative 
Committee,  plus  40  or  so  meetings  of groups  specific  to  the  projects, 

"VL 

at  a  cost  of ECU  12  0 00  per meeting,  will  require  a  meetings  budget  of 
ECU  50O OOO (A 2 5 0 / 2 5 1 ). 

Missions: ECU 75  OOO (A  1300) 

^3 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM (94) 483 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

16 15 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-510-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-81729-1 

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 

B>L/