CELEX: 51993PC0347(02)
Language: en
Date: 1993-09-01
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION adopting a multi-annual Community action concerning the development of ISDN as a trans-European network

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                       C0MC93) 347 final
                                                       Brussels, 01 September 1993
                    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
                              related to the development of the
                       Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
                                as a trans-European Network
                       ***************************************
                                        Proposal for a
                                   COUNCIL DECISION
    on a series of guidelines for the development of ISDN as trans-European network
                      ****************************************
                                        Proposal for a
                                   COUNCIL DECISION
                        adopting a multi-annual Community action
                               concerning the development of
                            ISDN as a trans-European network
                             (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---                                     -A   -2-
Contents of the draft Communication
        Summary
1       ISDN as trans-European network : the reasons for a new phase of community
        action
2       Series of guidelines for ISDN
2.1     Objectives
2.2     Priorities
2.3     Broad lines of measures
2.4     Projects of common interest
2.4.1   Projects related to Line 1)
2.4.2   Projects related to Line 2)
2.4.3   Projects related to Line 3)
2.4.4    Projects related to Line 4)
3       The contribution of the Community: the Multi-Annual Action TEN-ISDN
3.1      Introduction
3.2      Support for the projects of common interest
3.2.1    The Feasibility Studies
3.2.2    Financial incentives for the execution of the projects of common interest
3.2.3    Importance of two of the projects of common interest: telematic platform and
         Eurolabel
3.3      Measures in support of interconnectivity and interoperability
3.4      Financial aspects
4        The Coordination of national policies
4.1      General aspects
4.2      The Committee TEN-ISDN
4.3      The EURO-ISDN coordination platform
5        Cooperation with third countries
 6        The reasons of the Community intervention in the field of the ISDN
 7        Conclusions
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                    -3
                               Table of annexes
Annex A: Overview on the ISDN concept
Annex B: Scope of EURO-ISDN
Annex C: Summary table on EURO-ISDI^ availability
Annex D: % territorial coverage of Euro-ISDN
Annex E: Matrix on Euro-ISDN interconnections
 ---pagebreak---                                            -4-
SUMMARY
The purpose of this communication is to propose a set of measures concerning the
development of ISDN as a trans-European network (TEN-ISDN) in order to support the
availability of an advanced telecommunications infrastructure, so that all participants of the
internal market, and notably the many small and medium sized enterprises have better
chances to exploit the benefits of the market without internal frontiers
Such an advanced infrastructure, once in place, will thus contribute to the functioning of
the internal market and to the re-inforcement of the competitiveness of Europe.
ISDN, is a general, multi-purpose network integrating a large variety of voice, data and
image services via a single network access. Given that ISDN is evolving out of todays
telephone network, it has a natural vocation as European-wide network.
Since 1984, ISDN is a key subject of the Community's telecommunications policy, the gist
of which is to arrive at harmonised introduction of ISDN in all Member States.
Several Council measures have focussed on the coordinated introduction of ISDN and in
June 1992, the Council has underlined the importance to develop ISDN as a trans-
European network.
Based on the provisions of the Treaty and on the preceding Council measures referred to
above, the Commission is proposing a framework for a Community-action with the
following elements:
First, the adoption of a series of guidelines for the development of ISDN as a trans-
European network covering the objectives, priorities, broad line of measures and the
projects of common interest.
 Secondly, the adoption of a multi-annual Community-action concerning the
 implementation of the projects of common interest and measures in support of
 interoperability. This Community-action will include mainly feasibility studies and
 implementation support in the form of interest rate subsidies and loan guarantees. Only
 measures where the defined objective cannot be attained by an action at the level of the
 Member States are covered.
 Thirdly, the setting up of a high-level coordination group assisting the Commission in the
 execution of the multi-annual action.
 Finally, with a view to the global nature of ISDN, the Commission proposes to begin
 exploratory discussions with non-EC countries, the EFTA in particular, to assess how far
 projects of common interest can be extended to those countries.
 This communication is accompanied by two proposals for Council Decisions, one on the
 overall guidelines, the other on the multi-annual Community-action.
 ---pagebreak--- 1.     ISDN AS TRANS-EUROPEAN NETWORK :
       THE REASONS FOR A NEW PHASE OF COMMUNITY ACTION
1.     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.
       A recurring feature of the development of networks in European countries in the
       past has been the creation of independent infrastructures developed at national
       leveL This has militated against the introduction of harmonised services throughout
        Europe and has generated a series of technically incompatible systems.
2.      It is clear that to continue such a policy would be at odds with the aims of the single
        market
        The completion of the single market will not only lead to new communications
        requirements between administrations1, the free circulation of goods, services,
        persons and capital will equally generate new communications requirements
        between the economic participants in the single market.
        It is widely recognised, that a tissue of performant SME's2 are of particular
        importance for the development of a competitive market. SME's can often not
        afford dedicated solutions like corporate networks or specific applications. Thus,
        they depend on an adequate public service offering. Given the number of
        approximately 10 million SME's in the Community, it is clearly of advantage, if all
        these SME's have the option to access the same general switched
        telecommunications network.
3.      Since 1984, ISDN3 is a key element of the Community's telecommunications policy.
        ISDN is conceived as the natural evolution of the telephone network, based on its
        existing structure.
        ISDN, due to its advanced technology, developing status and promise of a wide
        range of voice and data services, was seen as a prime vehicle to satisfy the
        telecommunications needs of the single market. Subsequently, the Council adopted
        in December 1986 the Recommendation on the coordinated introduction of ISDN
        in the European Community4, which proposed a timetable for a phased
        introduction of ISDN services according to harmonised standards for interfaces and
        equipment.
1
    COM(93) 69final;Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on
    trans-European data communications networks between administrations;
2
    Small and medium sized enterprises;
3   Integrated Services Digital Network;
4
   Council Recommendation of 22 December 1986 on the coordinated introduction of the Integrated Services
   Digital Network (ISDN) in the European Community (86/659/EEC; O J. L382/36)
 ---pagebreak---       ISDN is the subject of "Annual Progress Reports" in the form of Commission
      Communications. These reports have led to two Council Resolutions on ISDN. In
      1989, the Council adopted a Resolution on the strengthening of the coordination
      for the introduction of the ISDN in the European Community up to 1992s and in
      June 1992 a further Resolution which underlines the importance to the develop
      ISDN as a trans-European network6.
      The introduction of ISDN in the less favoured regions received a contribution of
      the STAR programme7.
      ISDN is furthermore one of the priority areas for the application of the ONP8
      principles.
      With regard to ONP it is important to note that the initiatives on ISDN in ONP and
      in TEN are complementary, and in fact constitute a necessary reinforcement of two
      aspects. The first is the regulatory environment, which is designed as to enable an
      open and non-discriminatory access to public networks by value-added services
      providers for the sake of the growth of new services in a competitive market The
      second aspect is the promotion of an infrastructural development which supports
      the functioning of the single market through the instruments foreseen in the TEN
      framework.
      ISDN is a circuit switched network with a basic bitrate of 64kbit/s which
      integrates a wide variety of services for voice, data, text and images accessible to
      the user via one single interface. In comparison to the telephone network ISDN will
      offer better quality and higher throughput. For example, the transmission of one A4
      page per facsimile over the telephone network takes roughly one minute whereas
      with ISDN the same transmission will only take 3-4 seconds and provides much
      better quality (higher resolution).
      Annex A provides more details about the ISDN concept.
4.    The gist of the ISDN policy of the Community since 1984 was the coordinated
       introduction of ISDN in the Member States. Harmonisation of the user/network
       interfaces enabling the development of a mass terminal market and the access to
       standardised connection types which facilitate the provision of (third party
       provided) value added services (VAS) are crucial aspects of that policy.
5.     ISDN has a vocation as general switched network throughout Europe and on a
       world-wide basis. Owing to this nature ISDN is well suited to address many
       communications requirements from the public and private domain throughout the
       Community.
5  OJ C196/4 from 1.8.89;
6
   OJ C158/1 from 25.6.92;
'  Council Regulation of 27.10.86, instituting a Community programme for the development of certain less-
   favoured regions of the Community by improving access to advanced telecommunications services
   (STAR programme) (86/3300/EEC; OJ L305,31.10.86)
8
   Open Network Provision; 92/383/EEC of 5.6.92, OJ L200 of 18.07.1992;
 ---pagebreak---                                               -7-
6.      ISDN is a commercial reality in six Member States. However, the current
        implementations are technically not yet harmonised to the extent required.
        Furthermore, owing to a variety of reasons set out in detail in the Commission
        Annual Progress Reports on ISDN in the Community, the initial timetable for the
        introduction of harmonised ISDN offerings could not be met.
          In the course of 1993, ISDN, based on harmonised standards elaborated by
          ETSI9 will be introduced. This harmonised form of implementation is referred
          to as: EURO-ISDN.
        Therefore the current situation of ISDN in the Community can be described as a
        situation of transition, from existing national implementations to EURO-ISDN.
        All public network operators of the Community have signed a Memorandum of
        Understanding (MoU on ISDN) in which they commit themselves to implement
        EURO-ISDN. The full scale deployment of EURO-ISDN will extend over a number
        of years.
          It is the introduction of EURO-ISDN conformant facilities and/or upgrading of
          existing ISDN offerings to EURO-ISDN capabilities which are the subject of this
          proposal.
        Annex B provides a definition of the scope of EURO-ISDN.
7.       Only a general availability of this modern type of telecommunications infrastructure
        will allow to cater for the objective of economic cohesion. It is important that the
        peripheral regions will not lag behind with the implementation of EURO-ISDN in
         a way which adds further disadvantage.
         On the other hand, for the economic actors in the developed regions, the full
         potential of this basic infrastructure can only be obtained if they can reach all
         regions of the Community via the same network.
8.       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 the Community level to ensure the general availability
         and the harmonised provision of a number of basic services throughout the
         Community are necessary.
   9.      The current transition from existing ISDN offerings to the harmonised EURO-
           ISDN in the context of the requirements and opportunities arising from the
           completion of the single market provides the opportunity to embark on a new
           phase of the ISDN policy.
      European Telecommunications Standards Institute
 ---pagebreak---                                            -8-
      The present Communication sets out a framework for possible Community-action
      which could usefully be added to the efforts already undertaken in the Member
      States. It contains a series of guidelines describing the objectives and priorities
      and contains proposals for broad lines of measures and projects of common
      interest which are suitable to contribute to the achievement of the objectives and
      priorities.
      In conjunction with the present Communication, Part II of the present document
      presents two proposals for Council Decisions.
      A first proposal for a Council Decision presents the series of guidelines (Schéma
      Directeur) for the development of ISDN as trans-European network.
      The second proposal for a Council Decision is intended to institute a multi-annual
      programme for the implementation of TEN-ISDN guidelines.
      The proposed Decisions are based on Article 235 of the Treaty of Rome.
      The latter decision is accompanied by a financial statement.
      The approach for setting up the appropriate framework for the implementation of
      the proposals is described in Sections 3 and 4. It is foreseen to establish a multi-
      annual Community TEN-ISDN action. Section 6 explains also in more detail why a
      Community action in favour of ISDN is appropriate.
      The second proposed decision foresees that the Commission will be assisted by an
      advisory Committee (c/f. Section 4.2 of the present Communication). Furthermore,
      in order to allow for a direct dialogue with the principal sector actors concerned by
       the TEN-ISDN measures, a "Coordination Platform" (c/f; Section 43 of the present
       Communication) is proposed.
       Given that ISDN is suitable to respond to many private and public needs, particular
       emphasis is attached to the objective to find out where applications which will be
       the subject of a parallel proposal for trans-European networks for the telematic
       networks between administrations10 (TNA-IDA), may benefit from the availability
       of ISDN.
       Reference is also made to the next generation of switched networks, Integrated
       Broadband Communications (IBC), which technological development was and
       continues to be the subject of Community RDT-action in the context of the
       programme RACE. It is the intention to prepare also for IBC a proposal in the
       context of the trans-European networks.
       Close coordination with these other proposals for trans-European networks in the
       sector of telecommunications (TNA-IDA, TEN-IBC) will be ensured. It is expected
       that synergy effects notably in the area of harmonisation of protocol architectures
       for telematic services can be achieved.
10
   COM(93) 69 final; Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on
   trans-European data communications networks between administrations;
 ---pagebreak---                                                -9-
        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. As foreseen in the first two Community measures adopted in
         1990" concerning the open access to public networks and the competition in
        telecommunications services, the Commission undertook in 1992 a review of the
        situation of telecommunications services in the Community. After thorough
        discussions of the Commission document and in particular its proposals, the
        Commission has adopted a Communication to the Council and the European
        Parliament12 on 28.04.1993 proposing a series of steps to be taken in a phased
         approach up to the year 1998 concerning the regulatory evolution in the fields of
         telecommunications services and the provision of infrastructure.
         Regulatory changes in the course of the said evolution which would concern the
         development of ISDN as presented in this Communication will be fully taken into
         account. To this end, a revision clause is foreseen in Article 8 of the first of the two
         proposed Decisions.
10.      The present proposals have also to be seen in the context of the perspectives of the
         Communication COM(92) 2000 and COM(92) 200113 and in particular in the
         context of the Communication of the Commission to the Council on trans-
         European networks14.
         The Council in its Resolution from 7 December 1992 regarding the means to ensure
         the good functioning of the internal market13 has stressed the urgency to reinforce
         the telematics and other communications networks. Hie present proposal to
         develop ISDN as a trans-European network responds to this requirement.
         Owing to its infrastructural nature, ISDN is also considered in the context of the
         growth initiative decided at the Edinburgh Council First discussions with the EIB
         for inclusion of ISDN projects in the temporary lending instruments have been
         held. Following the decision on the Delors II package, also the possibility for co-
         financing with other Community instruments, notably with the structural funds are
         being explored.
11
    OJ No. L 192 from 24.07.90; Council Directive on the establishment of the internal market for
    telecommunications services through the implementation of open network provision (90/387/EEC) and
    Commission Directive on competition in the markets for telecommunications services (90/388/EEC);
12
    COM(93) 159/2 from 28.04.1993
13
     COM(92) 2000 and 2001 from 12 February 1992
14
     COM(90) 585 final, 10.12.1990
15
    OJ C334 from 18.12.92, p. 1-3
 ---pagebreak---                                        -10-
     SERIES OF GUIDELINES FOR ISDN
11.  Following the adoption of the Council Resolution of 5 June 1992, a series of
     guidelines covering the objectives, priorities, broad lines of measures and projects
     of common interest for the definition and implementation of ISDN as a trans-
     European network were prepared.
     The graph on the next page provides an overview on this series of guidelines.
     From the outset a close cooperation of the sector actors was established for the
     elaboration of these guidelines. A Working Group (WG TEN-ISDN) with
     participation of the Public Network Operators and the authorities of the Member
     States discussed these guidelines. A framework for the envisaged Community-
     action was defined.
12.  Proposals will be made how best to support the introduction of EURO-ISDN so
     that it meets the requirements of all the participants in the single market
13.  The main goal is the harmonised and rapid introduction of EURO-ISDN. The
     points of departure are the current ISDN commercial offerings which differ in
     various regards and the existing roll-out plans for EURO-ISDN of the public
     network operators.
     "Bottle-necks" In the plans for the deployment of the EURO-ISDN infrastructure,
     the range of services and various other aspects will be determined. For the
     infrastructure, a basic target date against which the plans will be evaluated is
     proposed (refer to paragraph 28). It is also proposed to include in the framework
     private ISDN networking, fully conformant to the relevant harmonised standards.
     A framework of measures to remedy those "bottle-necks" will be identified. The
     economic viability and the common interest of any project are key requirements.
     Interoperability and interconnectivity are the guiding technical principles for the
     proposals.
14.  Considerable emphasis is attached in the proposal to the availability of a number of
     compatible basic services (a platform of services) throughout the Community.
      Measures in support of interoperability of services offered over ISDN or accessible
     via ISDN are included.
     Also, a basic target date for the start of the practical availability of such a services
     platform is proposed here.
2.1   OBJECTIVES
 15.  The exploitation of the full potential of ISDN requires harmonised implementation
      throughout the Community. Two objectives can thus be defined for the
      development of ISDN as a truly general switched trans-European network.
 ---pagebreak---                                                 OVERVIEW OF TEN'
OBJECTIVES
                                                  OBJECTIVE 0 1
                                                                                            OBJECTIVE 02
                                                   Availability of
                                                                                           Full Geographical
                                             EURO-ISDN conformant
                                                                                       coverage of EURO-ISDN
                                               facilities Including a
                                                                                        offerings In all Member
                                             basic set of harmonised
                                                                                                 States.
                                                      services.
PRIORITIES                                                                          I
                                           PRIORITY P1                                                             PRIORITY P3
                                                                               PRIORITY P2
                                       Rapid availability of                                                 Facilitation of access
                                                                           Maximisation of the
                                      EURO-ISDN offerings                                                       of the peripheral
                                    for allbuslne'ss users, In             usage of EURO-ISON
                                                                                                              regions by means of
                                         particular SMEs.                   In the Community.
                                                                                                                    EURO-ISDN.
BROAD LINES OF
MEASURES
                   MEASURES U                             MEASURES L2                       MEASURES 13
                                                                                                                               MEASURES 14
                   Elimination of                          Ensurance of                 Migration of public
                                                                                                                                Promotion of
                bottle-necks In the                         end-to-end                  and private sector
                                                                                                                            EURO-ISON terminal
                     roll out of                       Interoperability of                 applications to
                                                                                                                               avallallabillty.
                     EURO-ISDN.                        telematic services.                   EURO-ISDN.
 POJECTS OF
;CUMON INTEREST
 ---pagebreak---                                                 -12-
16.    The first objective is related to development of a set of EURO-ISDN offerings
       which correspond specifically to the needs arising from the single market:
  Ol     Availability of EURO-ISDN conformant facilities, including a basic set of
         harmonised services.
17.    Facilities conformant to EURO-ISDN means the implementation of harmonised
       user/ network interfaces on the basis of the relevant ETSI standards, i.e. the two
       ISDN access types basic rate access (BRA) and primary rate access (PRA).
       Harmonised services implies, that a basic set of services is available in accordance
       with the relevant European standards.
       The basic set of services will include, beside the one's which are defined in the MoU
        on the ISDN in Europe (c/f. Annex B ), those telematic services which correspond
        to the most urgent user needs: simple file transfer, access to electronic mail,
        generalised data bank access (including videotex), videophony and facsimile group
        4.
        Paragraph 32) and 33) contain further explanation of this item.
18.     In order to make sure that EURO-ISDN offerings in line with this objective are
        available to all potential users throughout the Community, a second objective is
        defined as follows:
  02    Full geographical coverage of EURO-ISDN offerings in all Member States.
19.     This objective includes the aspects of the coverage of EURO-ISDN infrastructure
        in the Member States (national connectivity) and international connectivity
        between thé Member States.
        National connectivity means the full scale deployment of the two harmonised
        EURO-ISDN user/ network interfaces types, basic rate access (BRA) and primary
        rate access (PRA). National coverage may be achieved by means of equipping local
        switches with EURO-ISDN capabilities or by other techniques like remote accesses.
        National connectivity also implies the upgrade of the national network signalling
        systems, so that they can support the full range of EURO-ISDN facilities.
        International connectivity implies the introduction of the agreed protocol (i.e.
        ISUP16 Version 1) in the international switching centres (ISC) of the Member
        States. While the current ISDN implementations allow international
        interconnections, different protocols are in use between ISC's which leads to a
        number of limitations, e.g. for service connections. Annex E provides an overview
        on the introduction plans for ISUP Version 1.
20.     The fulfilment of these objectives has to take account of the already existing
        national ISDN offerings and the existing plans to introduce EURO-ISDN.
 16
     ISDN iJser £art; an interexchange signalling system defined in the context of ISDN
 ---pagebreak---                                          13
22   PRIORITIES
21.  The priorities which are derived from the endeavour to develop EURO-ISDN
     rapidly as a trans-European infrastructure and from the objectives defined above
     take account of the date of the completion of the single market and the expected
     development of communication requirements in the Community.
     As stated in paragraph 6, all public network operators in the Community have
     signed the MoU on the introduction of EURO-ISDN.
     The current plans of the public network operators (c/f. Annexes C and D) foresee,
     that the introduction of EURO-ISDN will commence around the middle of 1993. All
     Member States will have launched EURO-ISDN by the end of 1993.
22.  The roll-out of EURO-ISDN will take several years. Some operators have
     confirmed targets for a country-wide coverage. In others, those plans do not yet
     exist and the geographical deployment will depend on demand.
     A strategy for the marketing of EURO-ISDN and the setting of a target date is
     required.
23.  All market analysis' suggest, that the early years of the ISDN roll-out will focus on
     professional users. The crucial role of the SME's for the economy was already
     underlined (c/f. Chapter 1).
     Therefore, the first priority is defined as follows:
  PI   Rapid availability of EURO-ISDN offerings for all business users, in particular
       SME's.
24.   A second priority is aimed at the best possible usage of EURO-ISDN in the
      Community. Nowadays, many users of advanced telecommunications services make
      use of dedicated networks and services for their communications requirements.
      With a fully fledged EURO-ISDN it is conceivable, that a good portion of those
      users couldfindan economically interesting alternative in ISDN.
  P2  Maximisation of the usage of EURO-ISDN in the Community.
 25.  A modern universally available harmonised multi-purpose service is a crucial
      prerequisite for the general Community objective of economic cohesion.
      Improvement of the access of the peripheral regions is therefore defined as third
      priority.
  P3    Facilitation of access of the peripheral regions by means of EURO-ISDN.
 ---pagebreak---                                              -14-
       Currently discussions betwëëhthe Member States and the Commission are held to
       revise the provisions governing the structural funds. In view of the infrastructural
       nature of ISDN and in the light of the requirement identified by the Commission17
       that until the year 2000 up to 40BECU will be required to expand and upgrade the
       telecommunications infrastructure in the less favoured regions (LFR's), a combined
       effort involving various financial instruments including the structural funds in
       favour of ISDN may be justified. The initiative for supportfromthe structural funds
       lies with the Member States.
23     BROAD LINES OF MEASURES
26.    The present section describes the proposed broad lines of measures which are
       devised in a way to best accomplish the objectives and priorities discussed above.
       Given that the objectives and priorities are of general nature, they apply in
       principle to all broad lines of measures discussed below.
       A fuller understanding of these lines may be derived from the projects of common
       interest which are described for each of these lines (c/f. Section 2.4).
       Aframeworkfor possible Community action is proposed. Thisframeworkenables a
       complementarity between measures in the Member States and an eventual
       Community-action.
       For the implementation of these measures emphasis will be placed on addressing
       the needs of business users and the peripheral regions.
27.    Four broad lines of measures are proposed.
       Given the priority of making EURO-ISDN accesses and basic services available to
       business users, it is necessary to eliminate "bottle-necks" in the existing deployment
       plans.
  LI      Elimination of bottle-necks in the roll out of EURO-ISDN.
        Elimination of bottle-necks concerns the roll-out at the level of the Member States
        as well as the interconnection between the countries.
        With regard to the roll-out of EURO-ISDN facilities the existing plans of the
        PNO's show considerable differences for reaching full coverage. While in some
        countries this will be attained already by the end of 1994 or 1995, other operators,
        based on their specific situation have planned full coverage for the years 1996/97 or
        later.
17
     SEC(92) 1048finalfrom 21.10 1992, Page 32;
 ---pagebreak---                                           -15-
       An elimination of bottle-necks would in principle mean an acceleration of existing
       investment plans. In each case this will have to take account of business related
       arguments as well as a study of the demand in the geographical areas concerned.
       It could also mean an upgrading of existing pre-EURO-ISDN-offerings to conform
       with harmonised standards.
28.    Bearing in mind these considerations and in view of the functioning of the single
       market, a basic target date for the general availability of EURO-ISDN facilities for
       business users by the end of 1994 is set. This target date will serve as a reference
       against which plans are evaluated and will allow to determine measures which are
       suitable to narrow the gap between countries which plan a rather rapid introduction
       and others, in most cases more peripheral regions, where the current planning
       foresees full coverage for a point in time later than the target date.
29.    One of the major success factors of ISDN is the integration of a wide variety of
       services via two harmonised network interfaces. For many users this will do away
       with the necessity to subscribe to more than one telecommunications network.
       Discussions in the European ISDN User Forum (EIUF) have made clear, that in
        addition to telephony there is an urgent requirement for a number of compatible
       basic non-voice telematic services and applications available on a Community-wide
       basis. EURO-ISDN is designed to deliver or enable access to those services.
        In a previous Communication from the Commission, on the trans-European
        telematics networks between administrations (TNA) the crucial role of the
        availability of well defined telematic services for the proper functioning of the single
        market is set out in detail.
        Similarly, for the professional domain a basic telematic platform available
        throughout the Community is required in order to enable the economic participants
        of the single market to exploit the full economies of scale and scope of that market
        without internal frontiers.
        In order to allow all economic actors to have the option to use this telematic
        platform, this platform is only conceivable in connection to the coming generation
        of the general switched telecommunications network, the ISDN and later on the
        IBCNiC
        Indeed, not only the private domain will benefit from such a basic telematic
        infrastructure, many of the needs of the interchange of data between
        administrations (as for example discussed in the TNA-IDA proposal) are of similar
        nature. Consequently the TNA-IDA proposal makes reference to this fact, and a
        proper coordination between these two proposals in order to make sure that
        synergy effects can be realised is implicit to the adopted approach.
        In order to comply with user requirements, it is essential that those services and
        applications are provided in a manner which guarantees interoperability between
        user end systems and to promote measures with the objective to render the
         availability of such interoperable services more visible for the end user.
 18 Integrated Broadband Communications Network
 ---pagebreak---                                                 -16-
30.     So far, this user requirement is only met in part
        Therefore, a second broad line of measures caters for the interoperability of such
        services.
        The proposal takes account of the competitive context which is applicable for the
        provision of services other than voice.
  12      Ensure end-to-end interoperability of telematic services.
31.       Two major subheadings are planned for this action line:
          i)      Creation of a common telematic platform and
          ii)     Creation of a EURO-Label for interoperable services.
32.     A common telematic platform can be described as a set of telematic protocols
        which are arranged in an orderly manner (protocol stack) following a defined
        overall architectural concept. The term telematic platform implies a consensus on
        such a protocol architecture for the concerned services (see list below), where
        whenever possible certain protocol parts will be used for more than one service (eg.
        usage of the T.9019 protocol for a number of services).
        Five services for which there is particular demand are proposed to be included in
        the telematic platform:
        - simple file transfer;
        - electronic mail;
        - generalised access to data bases (including videotex);
        - videophony and
        - facsimile group 4.
        The final objective related to this proposal is the European-wide available to users
         of this set of services accessible via ISDN.
33.     The accessibility from the ISDN accesses to such services, for example from PC-
         based ISDN terminals (eg. via PCI20) and the consideration of the impact of such a
         common protocol architecture for terminal end systems are further aspects.
         ISDN is specifically devised to support (by the appropriate channel and signalling
         resources which can depend on the services requested) such telematic services,
         although it is transparent with regard to the transport it provides for those (and
         other) services.
         In contrast to the direct infrastructure which is in the first place hardware based,
         services are typically software oriented. Software based solutions can easily be
         modified and hence this may lead to incompatibility.
 19  T.90 is a CCnT defined protocol stack for terminals for telematic services in ISDN
 20
     Programming Communication Interface; a kind of software interface used in a computer (PC)
 ---pagebreak---                                          -17-
34.  The gist of the EURO-Label concept is therefore to support end-to-end
     interoperability on a basis of voluntary conformance to given specifications.
     There is a close relationship between the telematic platform and the EURO-Label
     proposal The range of services covered by the two measures would be principally
     the same.
35.  Given that a successful marketing of EURO-ISDN depends on the availability of a
     sufficient set of basic services, the timely availability of such services in relation to
     the timing of the roll-out of the infrastructure is important.
     It is therefore appropriate to set also for the availability of the above mentioned
     "telematic platform" a basic target date.
     The practical availability of the telematic platform should be by the end of the year
      1994, starting with some of the services (eg. simple file transfer, electronic mail)
     quoted earlier (i.e., the same date as set for the infrastructure).
36.  Today, a lot of customised applications, in the private and public domain are
     supported on dedicated networks.
     Indeed, much of the synergy which is expected from the merging of
      telecommunications and information technology, can be achieved from bringing
      (IT-) applications to the (general switched) telecommunications (network)
      together.
37.  A scrutiny of where it is economically and commerically appropriate to make use of
      the EURO-ISDN as wide area network for such applications is proposed.
  13    Migration of public and private sector applications to EURO-ISDN.
38.   One particular area proposed for the development of trans-European networks in
      the field of telecommunications are the telematic networks between administrations
      (TNA). In this context, a number of applications concerning the interchange of data
      between administrations requiring a wide area network support across the
      Community, will be developed. Migration possibilities of TNA-applications to
      EURO-ISDN will be studied under this broad line of measures.
39.   A further critical element for the successful development of EURO-ISDN is the
      availability of suitable and attractively priced terminal equipment.
      Owing to its current differences of the ISDN access characteristics, the ISDN
      terminal market is rather fragmented, based on national markets.
      Only the development of a truly Community-wide ISDN terminal market, which is
      only feasible with the introduction of the harmonised EURO-ISDN, will allow to
      exploit new economies of scale and thus contribute to the competitiveness of the
      Community market.
      This promotion of EURO-ISDN terminal availablity will take account of the fully
      competitive nature of this terminal market.
  IA  Promotion of EURO-ISDN terminal availability.
 ---pagebreak---                                           , -i8-
40.      ISDN is a prime candidate for the development of a Community-wide terminal
         market. Only networks, which offer harmonised accesses, like for example EURO-
         ISDN, will lead to the development of terminal equipment which can benefit from
         the "1-Stop TtyPe Approval" system as stipulated in the Council Directive
         91/263/EEC?1, and hence can freely circulate in the internal market without a prior
         need for technical adaptation or the requirement to be re-submitted to the type
         approval procedure for each national market.
2.4      PROJECTS OF COMMON INTEREST
41.      For each of the broad line of measures established above, a number of projects of
         common interest are identified below.
         Typically, a first step of a project would be the conduct of a feasibility study (FS)
         which will in particular evaluate the economic viability of the projects. In certain
         cases it may well be feasible, to define directly the terms of reference of a project.
         The proposed projects are in line with the objectives and priorities set out earlier.
2.4.1    PROJECTS RELATED TO LINE 1): "Elimination of bottle-necks in the roll out of
         EURO-ISDN
42.      In relation to this line a project of common interest which concerns the
         identification of bottle-necks and measures which contribute to their elimination is
         proposed.
   11       Identification of "bottle-necks", eg. in the roll-out of EURO-ISDN and measures
            which improve the availability of EURO-ISDN facilities.
         The identification here includes all kinds of bottle-necks, as for example,
          infrastructure, services, terminal availability, tariffs etc.
43.      A second project relates to the possibility to introduce a European-wide packet
          mode bearer services (PMBS) which is required for many data applications. At
          present, the implementation plans across Europe show a number of differences.
   12       Analysis of differences in the existing plans for the introduction of the packet-
            mode bearer services and proposals which aim at the harmonisation of these
            implementations, in a manner that at least a Community-wide service can be
            offered.
 21
      c/f OJ L128/1,23.05.91
 ---pagebreak---                                             -19-
        A harmonised European-wide PMBS is of crucial importance for many data-
         applications, as for example POS^-transactions or PIN2* code verifications in the
         context of credit/ cash card usage.
44.     A final project relates to the specific requirements of the SME's in the single
         market.
  13       Development for transborder applications in particular corresponding to the
           needs of SME'-s.
         In the context of this project, it is envisaged to provide incentives for the definition
         and development of applications, which are at least shared by SME's from two
         Member States.
         Examples for such applications could be in tourism, where actual offers for holidays
         are communicated "on-line" via ISDN, or applications which support'the search of
         partner firms in other countries and which could be organised by International
         Chambers of Commerce.
2.4.2    PROJECTS RELATED TO LINE 2): To ensure end-to-end interoperability of
         telematic services
45.      Two projects of common interest are put forward in relation to thé broàd line of
         measures No. 2.
         The first project concerns the development of the envisaged common telematic
         platform. It is re-called that five services have been identified as being of particular
         market interest: simple file transfer, electronic mail, generalised access to data
         bases (including videotex), videophony and facsimile group 4.
         More explanation on this issue is found in paragraphs 32) and 33).
  21       Development of a common telematic platform with particular attention to the
           five services listed.
46.      A second project concerns the promotion and visibility of end-to-end
         interoperability of EURO-ISDN services and terminals by the usage of a common
         label. This project will imply the definition of a concept for the EURO-Label, the
         set up of arrangements between the participants and initial support for the
         establishment of a EURO-Label organisation.
  22       Development of a voluntary EURO-LABEL.
22
      Points of Sales
23
      Personal Identification Number
 ---pagebreak---                                         -20-
2.43  PROJECTS RELATED TO LINE 3): "Migration of public and private sector
      applications to EURO-ISDN"
47.   Related to the line 3) on the migration of other applications to EURO-ISDN three
      projects of similar nature, but for distinct areas are proposed.
      Each of the projects will investigate into the feasibility and economic viability of
      using EURO-ISDN instead of dedicated networks.
 31     Migration of existing or planned TNA applications to EURO-ISDN.
  32    Migration of other applications (applications developed in the context of other
        Community measures, eg. health care networks, network between scientific
        parks, dedicated networks like IXI etc.) to EURO-ISDN.
  33    Migration of public and private sector applications operated on other networks
        to EURO-ISDN.
2.4.4 PROJECTS RELATED TO LINE 4):                    Promotion of EURO-ISDN terminal
      availability
48.   Two projects related to the promotion of EURO-ISDN terminal availability are
      proposed. They will focus on cheap voice related terminals and on simple file
      transfer, electronic mail, generalised access to data banks (ind videotex),
      videophony and facsimile group 4. In terms of their technical scope the projects
      (41), (42) and (21) are related, i.e., again, there is a close link with the EURO-
      Label and Telematic-platform projects.
      Terminals are in many cases the instruments to physically implement a service. The
      end-to-end compatibility of the terminal (for some basic services) in a multi-vendor
      environment (terminals are in competition) is a key objective.
  41    Analysis of EURO-ISDN terminal requirements in the context of market needs.
  42    Promotion of the availability of EURO-ISDN terminals.
49.   Promotion of the availability of EURO-ISDN terminals may for example include
      concertation with terminal manufactures, analysis' of the methods how to cut down
      the cost for the circuitry required for the construction of such terminals or
       definition of common promotion efforts for terminal availability.
  43     Development of 1-Stop shopping and billing principles for EURO-ISDN.
 ---pagebreak---                                         -21-
     1-Stop shopping and billing principles are recommended by the Council 24 in the
     context of Open Network Provision.
     In a first step, this latter project may start with 1-Stop ordering. 1-Stop ordering
     implies that the request/application for e.g. a service subscription across various
     networks can be made from one point.
24
   ONP-ISDN Recommendation; OJ No. L 200/10 from 18.07.92
 ---pagebreak---                                         -22-
3.  THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE COMMUNITY: THE MULTI-ANNUAL ACTION
    TEN-ISDN
3.1 INTRODUCTION
50. The TEN-ISDN action aims to give a Community support for the execution of the
    projects of common interest identified in the "Series of guidelines" (Schéma
    Directeur), the adoption of which is proposed to the Council by means of the first
    decision submitted in Annex to this communication. These projects of common
    interest are classified according to the four broad lines of measures defined in the
    series of guide lines:
         Elimination of the bottle-necks in the deployment of the EURO-ISDN (action
         at the infrastructure level).
         To ensure end-to-end interoperability of telematic services.
         Migration of public and private applications towards the EURO-ISDN.
         Promotion of the availability of the EURO-ISDN terminals.
51.  Community support for the projects of common interest is carried out by means of
     feasibility studies which can include a validation phase. The execution of the
     projects is the responsibility of the sector actors, but it can be supported, when it is
     necessary, by interest subsidies or loan guarantees granted to the entities which
     carry out these projects.
     Moreover, specific actions aiming to ensure the interconnectivity of the networks
     and the interoperability of services and terminals, in particular in the field of the
     harmonization of standards, could be led in support for the implementation of all
     the projects of common interest.
     The interested actors by these actions are of three categories:
     - Those responsible for the implementation of the infrastructure EURO-ISDN,
         which are the public network operators.
     - Those likely to offer trans-European services on this infrastructure, who
         comprise the same public network operators and private service providers.
     - Those which put on the market telecommunication terminals, Le. the terminals
         manufacturers or importers.
      Given that differing regulatory regimes apply to these different actors, the methods
      and procedures applied for the Community projects will depend on the nature of
      the case.
      Envisaged changes in the regulatory regime (c/f. the Commission proposal to issue
      a Green paper on the infrastructure provision) which occur during the period of the
      execution of this Community-action, will be fully taken into account.
 ---pagebreak---                                         -23-
3.2  SUPPORT FOR THE; PROJECTS OF COMMON INTÉRESt,
32.1 THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES
52.  While due account will be taken of their infrastructural nature the projects of
     common interest have first to be the subject of careful definition and evaluation of
     their financial viability. This work will be carried out within the framework of
     feasibility studies, which can if necessary include a validation phase. They will be
     concentrated in thefirstyears of the implementation of the programme.
     These feasibility studies will generally befinancedat 100% by the Community, and
     will be carried out by contractors chosen within theframeworkof calls for tenders.
322  FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE PROJECTS OF
     COMMON INTEREST
53.  The means specifically under consideration in the Community budget to support
     the execution of the projects of common interest are loan guarantees and interest
     subsidies. They can be supplemented by recourse to the temporary lending
     instrument and to the European investment funds decided by the European Council
     at Edinburgh. It is also possible to finance these needs by means of the ordinary
     loans of the BEI and, for the Objective 1 regions, by a contribution from the
     structural funds. Each one of these sources offinancehas to be implemented within
     its own framework.
54.  With regard to the infrastructure as such, the implementation of the EURO-ISDN
     involves considerable investments, in the order of several tens of billion ECU.
     These investments in general are already programmed by the public networks
     operators, but the Annexes C and D show that in a number of fields, the calendars
     planned for the deployment of the EURO-ISDN are not in line with the target date
      end of 1994. The means of incentive available will mainly be used in this case to
      expedite the planned deployment.
     The entities eligible for this category of operations will be mainly the public
      network operators who 'are in charge of the implementation of the ISDN
      infrastructure. Given the high amount of investments to be supported, and the
      limited means available, the intervention of the Community will have to be carried
      out by judiciously proportioned recourse to the various sources, taking into account
      priorities and the specific situations of the public network operators.
 55.  With regard to the aspects connected with the services (end-to-end interoperability
      and migration of the services towards the EURO-ISDN), the actions are led in a
      liberalized field, the interested entities being the public network operators and the
      private service providers. The projects identified in the feasibility studies will have
      to be carried out within a framework of calls for tender in order to determine the
      attribution of support in compliance with the Community rules. With regard to the
      implementation of migration possibilities of the services concerning the interchange
      of data between administrations, close coordination will have to be carried out with
      the TNA-IDA action.
 ---pagebreak---                                        -24-
56.  Lastly, concerning the terminals, mainly feasibility studies regarding needs of the
     market and promotion of the types of terminals corresponding to the criteria
     defined in the context of the trans-European networks are envisaged: recourse to
     interest subsidies and loan guarantees should not be frequent here. In this field
     where free competition has to be exerted, the measures taken will have to comply
     with the Community competition rules.
3.23 IMPORTANCE OF TWO OF THE PROJECTS OF COMMON INTEREST:
     TELEMATIC PLATFORM AND EUROLABEL
57.  The projects on "telematic platform" and "EUROLABEL", which are the subject of
     the second broad line of measures and the objective of which is to ensure and
     maintain an essential character of a trans-European network, namely the full
     interoperability of the basic services, have a horizontal aspect which confers them a
     special importance. They will indeed ensure the coherence of the basic services and
     the underlying network.
     The common telematic platform will consist of a coherent architecture and common
     protocols as much as possible harmonized and re-used for a number of applications.
     The platform will be based on the existing results of standardization, supplemented
     by later work if necessary. This project will have to be coordinated with the
     architecture defined in the TNA-IDA action, as well as with those made at a later
      date for the broad-band ISDN. The construction of the telematic platform will
     require several feasibility studies, going from the definition phase to that of
     validation.
58.   The proposal for a EURO-LABEL aims at the promotion of the compatible end
      systems and at improving their visibility for the users. Technically, the EURO-
      LABEL will encourage the verification of interoperability in a multi-vendor
      environment, thus contributing to the enhancement of competition. The
      development of the EURO-LABEL involves the collaboration of the public
      network operators, of the private service providers, of the terminal manufacturers,
      the test and user organisations (for example the "European ISDN User Forum").
      Within theframeworkof a number of feasibility studies, these sector actors will
      have to define the concept of such a label jointly. It is envisaged that after a support
      effort limited to the launching of the system, it will be maintained of itself.
33    MEASURES           IN      SUPPORT         OF       INTERCONNECnVITY               AND
      INTEROPERABILITY
59.   The objective to achieve and maintain full interconnectivity of the networks
      implemented in the Member States and end-to-end compatibility of certain basic
      services will be supported by the Community action.
 60.  While the advantages of interoperability are principally clear, it is still difficult to
      explain this concept to users and to market products which are interoperable (in a
      multi-vendor environment). Measures to raise the awareness are required.
      Moreover, in certain areas further standardisation work may be needed. This work
      will be mandated to the recognised standardisation organisations in Europe.
 ---pagebreak---                                        -25-
61. Interoperability testing is an efficient way to verify whether products from different
    sources can interoperate. Further support in this respect for the basic telematic
    services is envisaged.
    It is noted, that some of the projects of common interest have a double nature, Le.,
    they concern also this second level of Community action in support of
    interoperability.
3.4 FINANCIAL ASPECTS
62. The methods of the Communityfinancialcontribution, financing of the feasibility
    studies and incentives for the execution of the projects of common interest, are
    clarified as in points 3.2.1 and 3.2.2.
    Thefinancialstatement accompanying the draft decision gives an overall picture of
    the budgetary implications of this proposal for the 1993-1997 period.
 ---pagebreak---                                       -26-
4.  THE COORDINATION OF THE NATIONAL POLICIES
4.1 GENERAL ASPECTS
63. It is inherent to the approach of a policy which aims at coordination and
    harmonisation, to establish a close collaboration with the players involved.
    With the changes which have been introduced to the telecommunications sector in
    the Community, two main types of actors will be involved in the case of ISDN.
64. Firstly, the Member States, which are responsible for the ISDN policy in their own
    territory and have in particular to ensure the required stability of regulatory
    environment for making available a public service offering on the entire territory, in
    correspondence with market needs.
    However, in view of the objective of European-wide harmonised introduction, a
    coordination of national policies has to be done at a European level
                                                  *i  •"' '• •
    The Community has already strongly promoted-the coordination of plans,
    promotion of awareness and support notably of standardisation efforts in its ISDN
    policy since 1984. This coordination has now to be strengthened.
65. Secondly, the public network operators, which in all but one case are granted
    exclusive rights for the provision of the network infrastructure and today for the
    voice service, are responsible for the planning,financingand implementation of the
    infrastructure in such a framework. Account will be taken of any modification of the
    present regulatory regime.
    The Member States together with the public network operators will in particular
    have to make available all input data required to conduct the feasibility study
    related to infrastructure projects.
     Other sector actors, for example the manufacturing industry will be associated for
    projects related to the availability of EURO-ISDN terminals.
    As discussed in the present document, the specific Community action under the
     TEN framework would intensify and adapt this coordination role to the specific
     needs of the operation of the single market.
     Close cooperation between these actors is required. It is proposed to organize it in
     theframeworkof two groups: the TEN-ISDN Committee and the EURO-ISDN
     coordination platform.
 ---pagebreak---                                                  -27-
42.    THE COMMITTEE TEN-ISDN
66.    A committee which will assist the Commission in the implementation of the
        Community action TEN-ISDN will be established. It will have a number of tasks:
        -     It will examine the work programme of Feasibility Studies;
              It will be consulted on the definition of the projects and the allocation of
              support;
              It will assist in the establishment of evaluation criteria;
              It will examine the annual reports on the implementation of the series of
              guidelines and to discuss and propose possible amendments.
        The Committee will be composed of representatives from the Member States and
        the Commission. A representative of the Commission will chair committee
        meetings.
        If an updating of the guidelines appears necessary, the Commission plans to discuss
        this issue with the Member States in the framework of this Committee. The
        Committee may also be involved in the discussion of related matters, e.g. the
        question of the eligibility of actual proposals for projects of common interests.
43.     THE EURO-ISDN COORDINATION PLATFORM
67.     The TEN-ISDN coordination platform will allow to bring together the relevant
        sector actors, network operators, service providers, manufacturers, test houses, etc.
         Representatives of the Member States authorities and from the Commission will
        assist
        Based on the experience of the WG TEN-ISDN, it is proposed that this
        coordination platform assumes the form of an informal series of meetings. The
        Commission will organise these meetings when necessary and will provide
        secretarial support.
        Principal task of this coordination platform is to discuss sector specific aspects of
         horizontal nature relevant to the implementation of the series of guidelines. It will
         form a suitable mechanism for the discussion of projects of common interest which
         may be forwarded on the basis of joint proposals of interested sector actors. The
         meetings will be open to all concerned sector actors.
 68.     In order to ensure clear conditions and where required, a commercial framework
         for example for the submission of joint proposals or the definition of common
         architecture, sector actors may develop instruments like for example memoranda of
         understanding or European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIG) in the context of
         this action.
         The coordination platform will take particular account of user positions. Liaison
         with the European ISDN User Forum (EIUF)25 and other relevant user groups will
         be organized.
 25
     EIUF is a user forum which was initiated by DG XIII of the CEC and which has the objective to identify
     user requirements related to the further shaping of EURO-ISDN.
 ---pagebreak---                                          -28-
69.   In addition, a relationship will be strengthened or established with other specialised
      organizations:
      • ETSI, which is the recognised standards organization responsible for ISDN
         standardization in Europe, and with which the Community has well established
         links;
      - the group IMIMG26, which involves 26 operatorsfrom20 European countries;
      . ETNO27, with which the mutual interest of establishing a cooperation link will be
         explored.
 26
    ISDN MoU Implementation and Management Group
 27
    European Telecommunications network Operators
 ---pagebreak---                                      -29-
5.  COOPERATION WITH THIRD COUNTRIES.
70. The nature of telecommunications in general and certainly the nature of ISDN is
    global
    International and regional standardization is a major prerequisite for the
    development of ISDN.
    Thanks to ETSI, Europe has a leading position in ISDN standardization. EURO-
    ISDN will be implemented on ETSI standards (which are as far as possible in line
    with world wide standards).
71. Some coordination for the introduction of EURO-ISDN exists in the form of the
    MoU group discussed in Chapter 1, which involves operators from all Member
    States of the Community, all EFTA countries (except Liechtenstein) and some
    other Western European countries.
72. A closer cooperation of the Community with the EFTA countries and the other
    Western European countries for all coordination efforts for ISDN in Europe is
    required.
    A separate proposal will be prepared on the method and extension of such a
    coordination effort with third countries.
 ---pagebreak---                                        -30-
6.  THE REASONS OF THE COMMUNITY INTERVENTION IN THE FIELD OF
    THE ISDN
73. The availability of a general switched network , allowing the offer of advanced
    services in telephony, image and data communication on a trans-European level, is
    an essential prerequisite, so that all economic operators, public or private, and in
    particular the SME's, can benefit to the maximum from the establishment of the
    single market, and the implementation of the four freedoms of movement. As
    shown in Chapter 1, the ISDN has the characteristics making it possible to give the
    type of advanced services necessary now for the actors carrying out an economic
    activity.
74. The Community has implemented since 1984 a policy in support of the coordinated
    introduction of ISDN. On the basis of a Recommendation adopted by the Council
    in 1986, the Commission has regularly informed the Council and the European
    Parliament on the progress of the introduction of ISDN in the Community by
    annual reports. The communication of these reports gave rise to two Council
    Resolutions on ISDN, one in 1989 which aimed at the further strengthening of the
    coordinated introduction of ISDN in the Community, the other in June 1992 which
    stressed the importance of developing the ISDN as a trans-European network.
    Moreover, the Council adopted also in June 1992 a Recommendation on the
    application of the ONP to ISDN.
    Parallel to the continuation i of"these political developments, the Community
    supported, in particular financially, the work of the ETSI for the production of the
    standards defining a harmonized version of the ISDN (EURO-ISDN), the essential
    base to ensure the interoperability and the interconnectivity of the national ISDN
    implementations with the aim of making ISDN a genuine trans-European network.
75. Since several years, the network operators of several Member States have started to
    provide ISDN services at a national level. The implementations present
    considerable differences from the point of view of the range of services offered, and
    also regarding the technical characteristics of accesses of those networks. This
     situation does not ensure the required degree of interoperability of the national
     network offerings. Aware of this situation, the public network operators concluded
     a "MoU" within the framework of which they commit themselves to implementing
     the EURO-ISDN: compatibility between the various networks and national services
     can indeed be obtained only if, in their implementation, harmonized standards are
     rigourously applied.
     One can therefore note that the elements for the deployment of a trans-European
     ISDN exist, and that the interest of such a type of development was recognized by
     the Council in 1992. Taking into account the progress of regulation in the
     Community, which prompts the actors of the sector to give new value added
     services, it is nevertheless not very likely that other actors than the public network
     operators, which have already begun large investment programmes, would
     introduce a generalized ISDN in the Community. If the commercial service of
     ISDN in the countries where a substantial offering already exists is not yet
     confirmed, demand develops nevertheless, and should increase when a
     homogeneous offer covering the entire Community, and more largely Europe, is
     available.
 ---pagebreak---                                        -31-
76. The implementation of a voluntary approach based on the commitment of the
    sector actors as regards trans-European networks, such as it is envisaged in
    particular in the Title XII of the Treaty of the European Union, is necessary so that
    this general deployment is carried out quickly, in order to strengthen the
    competitiveness of the European companies and to provide the internal market
    with the means of effective communication which it needs already today. It arises
    indeed from the observation of the situation and from the discussions with the
    network operators that a number of reasons slow down the introduction of the
    EURO-ISDN:
    - the experience showed in the past that it was insufficient to rely only on the
        efforts carried out at the level of the Member States when wanting to arrive at
        the implementation of a general infrastructure according to a given timetable
        with the stimulant alone of the existence of a harmonized standard;
    - the MoU concluded between the public network operators excludes explicitly
        certain aspects, like the coordination of the introduction of basic services and
        the questions touching the terminals. But the field of the services and that of the
        terminals are particularly susceptible for incompatible developments:
        coordination at European level is necessary to obtain harmonized developments;
    - the field of responsibility of the public network operators covers in general the
        national level No mechanism ensures currently this responsibility across the
        Community, in particular with regard to the offer of basic telematic services. To
        allow the coordination of these lacking aspects - inter alia with the 1-Stop
        Shopping recommended by the Council? in the ONP measure on ISDN -, the
      4
        creation of a telematic platform at a Community level is necessary;
     - all the measures have to be based on harmonized standards prepared by
        recognized standardization organizations. But collaboration can not be limited to
        the application of these standards only: practical questions connected with the
        introduction of the services: choices of the options, test conditions, measures
        aiming to ensure the interoperability, have also to be coordinated if one wants to
        introduce successfully a harmonized ISDN;
     - under the current conditions of regulation and vis-à-vis a demand which is not
        yet self-sustaining, the existence of incentives for investments can help to create
        a more rapid take-off of harmonized network and service supply;
     - finally, for the ISDN being a switched network for general use, which should
        allow two users wherever located in the Community to communicate, it is
        essential that this modern infrastructure is available in due time also in the less
        favoured peripheral areas. In the contrary case, this infrastructure would lose of
         the interest, even for the users of the central regions of the Community. The
        STAR programme has already contributed to the digitalization of the
         infrastructures of these regions. It would be appropriate that the measures taken
         in future with the aid of the structural funds take into account the
         implementation of the EURO-ISDN.
     - If the Community would remain inactive, it is believed that the LFR's will
         encounter a further widening of the gap in comparison to the status of advanced
         communications in the central regions.
                          C'" '<-,
 ---pagebreak---                                         -32-
77. The actions aiming to remedy the difficulties evoked above are of nature such as
    they have to be taken at the Community level or, still better, at European level.
    They will have to aim at the following three effects:
    - to accelerate the deployment of the EURO-ISDN and/or the adaption of
         existing offers to become EURO-ISDN conformant;
    • to encourage the coordinated introduction of harmonized basic services;
    - to adapt the offer of the EURO-ISDN to the specific needs resulting from
         operation of the internal market.
78. The deployment of the ISDN as a trans-European network is justified by the
    contribution that it brings to the economic operators and to the administrations
    allowing to draw a maximum benefit from the establishment of the internal market
    and enabling the implementation of the four freedoms of movement.
    The above section details the reasons of technical nature for which a Community
    intervention is essential in this field. But this intervention is limited on the one hand
    to coordination tasks, on the other hand, when that appears suitable, to a certain
    stimulation of investments by the actors of the sector.
79. The size of investments necessary for the deployment of a trans-European ISDN by
    implementing the EURO-ISDN is several tens of billion ECU: it is clear that these
    investments fall within the competence of the sector actors, mainly of the public
    network operators which have to finance this infrastructure. The appropriations to
     the Community budget to support this action account for less than 1% of these
     investments, which shows that they can only achieve an effect of coordination and
     of catalytic stimulation.
     It is therefore envisaged to target the use of the Community contribution to arrive
     at the achievement of objectives, the interest of which is recognized, and which
    would otherwise not be realised only by the actors of the sector in the Member
     States. This contribution will take all its effect insofar as it will make it possible to
     accelerate infrastructure investments envisaged in the field of the ISDN, and to
     guarantee the interconnectivity of the networks set up in the Member States. These
     investments, which can in addition enjoy the support of the various financial
     instruments of the Community, will to take part in the growth initiative decided in
     Edinburgh, and contribute to Community cohesion.
 ---pagebreak---                                        -33
    CONCLUSIONS
80. In the past, telecommunications networks and services had often been developed at
    a national level, which had led to many incompatibilities and which has an
    aftermath until today. This endangers the competitiveness of European industry.
    Independent reports suggest that ISDN may be the opportunity for the Community
    to catch up this delay.
    Ideally, a fully fledged ISDN offering should be available with the completion of the
    single market. The current plans of the PNO's foresee, that the EURO-ISDN
    deployment will begin at the middle of the year 1993 and will extend over several
    years.
81. On the basis of the Community's ISDN policy since 1984, the present
    Communication explains the interest to develop in the Community the ISDN as a
    trans-European network, and proposes a series of guidelines aiming at this
    objective as well as the Community contribution associated with this action. The
    proposal takes full account of the growth initiative decided by the Edinburgh
    Council
    A first decision is submitted for the adoption of these guidelines. It covers the
    objectives, priorities, the broad line of measures and the projects of common
    interest for the implementation of ISDN as a trans-European network.
    The second proposed decision concerns the Community contribution to the
    implementation of this trans-European network. It aims mainly to support this
     implementation by coordination work and, for a limited amount, by stimulation of
     the investments of the sector actors by means of interest subsidies and of loan
     guarantees.
     Moreover, it is requested from the Council to authorise the Commission to
     undertake exploratory discussions with the countries of EFTA and with other
     interested European countries, with a view to establishing if there is a mutual
     interest to cooperation in this field of the introduction of the EURO-ISDN.
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                       1H
                                         Proposal for a
                                    COUNCIL DECISION
                                  on a series of guidelines for
                                 the development of ISDN as a
                                    trans-European network
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in
particular Article 235 thereof;
Having regard to the proposalfromthe Commission1;
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament;
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee;
Whereas the internal market establishes an area without internalfrontierswithin 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 for measures involving substantial interchange of data between individuals,
economic operators and the competent administrations; whereas such interchange can be
ensured using trans-European networks;
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 a trans-European ISDN will form a basic element of trans-European
telecommunications networks;
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 and interoperability of ISDN;
 ---pagebreak---                                             3S"
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 failure 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 interoperability between national networks
and in a limited availability of compatible basic services;
Whereas the only legal basis provided by the Treaty for adoption of this decision lies in
Article 235;
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
                                             Article 1
This Decision lays down the guidelines identifying the objectives, priorities, broad lines of
measures and a number of projects of common interest concerning the development of
 ISDN as trans-European network.
                                             Article 2
 The objectives for the development of ISDN as trans-European network are:
      the availability of ISDN facilities including a basic set of services fully conformant to
      harmonised European standards referred to hereafter as EURO-ISDN;
      the full geographical coverage of EURO-ISDN facilities in all Member States.
                                             Article 3
 The priorities for attainment of the objectives referred to in Article 2 are as follows:
      to contribute to the rapid availability of EURO-ISDN facilities for all business users, in
      particular small and medium sized enterprises;
      to maximise the usage of EURO-ISDN in the Community;
      to facilitate the access of the peripheral regions by means of EURO-ISDN.
 ---pagebreak---                                          "it
                                           Article 4
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 the end-to-end interoperability of telematic services;
     migration of public and private sector applications to EURO-ISDN;
     promotion of EURO-ISDN terminal availability.
                                            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.
                                            Article 6
1.   The Member States shall introduce the regulatory and organisational measures to
     allow the implementation of ISDN as a trans-European network.
2.   The Member States shall encourage the public network operators to introduce the
     infrastructure required for the development of ISDN as a trans-European network.
                                            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 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                           Article 9
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
                                         Article 10
It shall take effect 21 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.
                                                              Done at.
 ---pagebreak---                                             l€
Annex 1
Projects of common interest concerning the development of ISDN as a trans-European
network:
Elimination of bottle-necks in the roll out of EURO-ISDN:
        Identification of "bottle-necks", eg. in the roll-out of EURO-ISDN and measures
       which improve the availability of EURO-ISDN facilities.
       Analysis of differences in the existing plans for the introduction of the packet-mode
        bearer services and proposals which aim at the harmonisation of these
        implementations in a manner that at least a Community-wide service can be
        offered.
        Development for transborder applications in particular corresponding to the needs
        ofSMEs.
Ensure end-to-end Interoperability of telematic services:
        Development of a common telematic platform with particular attention to the six
        services listed.
        Development of a voluntary EURO-LABEL.
Migration of public and private sector applications to EURO-ISDN:
         Migration of existing or planned TNA applications to EURO-ISDN.
         Migration of other applications (applications developed in the context of other
        Community 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.
Promotion of EURO-ISDN terminal availability:
         Analysis of EURO-ISDN terminal requirements in the context of market needs.
         Promotion of the availability of EURO-ISDN terminals.
         Development of 1-Stop shopping and billing principles for EURO-ISDN.
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                             33
                                          Proposal for a
                                      COUNCIL DECISION
   adopting a multi-annual Community action concerning the development of ISDN as a
                               trans-European network (TEN-ISDN)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in
particular Article 235 thereof;
Having regard to the proposalfromthe Commission1;
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament2;
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee3;
Whereas the Council adopted a 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 subject of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the public telecommunications networks operators;
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;
1    OJ...
2
    OJ...
3
    OJ...
4    OJ...
5
    OJL 382,31.12.89, p. 36
6
    OJ (89/C 196/04)
7
     OJ No. L 200/10 from 18.07.92;
 ---pagebreak---                                             MO
Whereas the Council in its Resolution from 05.06.19928 has recognized 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 ISDN is conceived as the general switched telecommunications network evolved
out of the telephone network;
Whereas the availability of a modern, general telecommunications infrastructure is an
important factor to enable the economic actors to take full benefit from the market without
internal frontiers;
Whereas current implementations of ISDN have an insufficient degree of harmonisation,
which hinders, for example, the free movement of ISDN terminal equipment;
Whereas the availability of end-to-end compatible basic service (other than voice) is
insufficiently developed;
Whereas there is a need for coordinated action for the deployment of compatible pan-
European services, so as to reinforce the competitiveness of European industry;
Whereas cooperation is also appropriate with non-Community countries in order to
promote projects of common interest and to ensure interconnectiyity and interoperability
of ISDN implementations;
Whereas the Community consequently needs to establish aframeworkfor the contribution
 of the Community to the implementation of ISDN as a trans-European network; whereas
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;
 HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
 8
     OJ (92/C 158/1) from 25.06.92;
 9
      OJ C 334 from 18.12.92, p. 1-3;
 ---pagebreak---                                              *\A
                                               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.
                                               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 [..J10; Such
support shall relate to the implementation of ISDN facilities in conformity with the
relevant harmonised standards produced by ETSI11, with a view to ensuring the full
interconnectivity and interoperability of ISDN implementations.
                                               Article 3
The contents of the action is set out in the Annex.
                                               Article 4
 1.  The implementation of the action shall be closely coordinated with Community
     policies and requirements of users, notably small and medium sized enterprises, arising
     from the endeavour to exploit the freedoms of the internal market without frontiers.
 2.  This coordination shall apply notably to the following areas: trans-European networks
      and services, standardisation, identification of user requirements, legal and data
     protection aspects raised by the introduction of ISDN.
                                               Article 5
 The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate agreements with non-Community
 countries with a view to their full or partial involvement in the action.
                                                Article 6
 1.   The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the action.
 2.   The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply to :
           the drawing up of the work programme for feasibility studies;
           the adoption of the recommendations of the feasibility studies;
           the establishment of criteria for the assessment of the action;
 10 OJ...
 H   European Telecommunications Standards Institute; a recognised standardisation organisation;
 ---pagebreak---                                             MX-
                                               Article 7
1.  The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of
    the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the
    Commission.
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 Commission shall give serious consideration to the committee's opinion. It shall
     inform the committee of how it has taken account of the opinion.
3.   The committee may examine any question in relation to the development of ISDN as
     TEN.
                                             Article 8
1.   Every year the Commission shall report on the activities to the Council and the
     European Parliament.
2.   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 is addressed to the Member States.
                                             Article 10
It shall take effect 21 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European
 Committees.
                                                                 Done at Brussels...
 ---pagebreak---                                              M3
                                            Annex
                            Definition of the TEN-ISDN Action
1. The TEN-ISDN Action consists of the implementation of projects of common interest
   eligible under the series of guidelines defined in Council Decision [...] and measures
   ensuring interoperability.
   Three categories of action can be distinguished:
        projects of infrastructural nature;
        projects concerning telematic services and applications of trans-frontier nature;
        projects promoting the ISDN usage including promotion of ISDN terminal
        availability;
        measures concerning the end-to-end compatibility of a limited range of basic
        telematic services and corresponding terminal equipment;
2. Projects of common interest can be supported by feasibility studies and by support for
   implementation.
   Feasibility studies for projects of common interest normally comprise the following
   phases:
         analysing the requirements (eg. bottle-necks);
         definition of the action;
         specification of technical requirements (in some cases);
         preparation of an action plan including the methods suited for implementation of
         the project;
         validation, on a small scale, of,the essential functions of the solutions adopted (in
         some cases);
         assessment of the results obtained.
    In addition to the feasibility studies there will be regular monitoring of the projects and
    measures undertaken in the context of this action.
    Community support for the implementation of projects of common interest may take
    in particular the form of interest rate subsidies and loan guarantees.
 ---pagebreak---                                          HH
3. The measures to ensure interoperability consist in:
       contribution to the development of prototypes and software functions;
       promotion of interoperable solutions specifically by the set up of a EURO-Label;
       interoperability testing;
       standardisation work;
       incorporating relevant R&D results notably from Community programmes;
   and the flanking measures:
       support for awareness for the notion interoperability;
       organisational support for the implementation of the above measures.
 ---pagebreak---                                               <+*>
                                 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Item B5-720:
Trans-European networks in the field of telecommunications: ISDN
1.     TITLE OF OPERATION:
    Trans-European networks in the field of telecommunications.
    Community contribution to the implementation of the master plan adopted for certain
    priority trans-European telecommunications networks.
2.  BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED:
    55-720
    N.B.:            Although this budget heading also covers types of networks other than
                     ISDN, the particulars given in this financial statement refer only to ISDN.
3.  LEGAL BASIS:
     - Council recommendation 86/659/EEC of 22 December 1986 on the coordinated
       introduction of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) in the European
        Community (OJL382, 31.12.1986, p. 36).
     - Council Decision 87/95/EEC of 22 December 1986 on standardization in the field of
        information technology and telecommunications (OJ L 36, 7.2.1987, p. 31).
     - Council resolution of 18 July 1989 on the strengthening of the coordination for the
        introduction of the Integrated Sendees Digital Network (ISDN) in the European
        Community up to 1992 (OJ C196,1.8.1989, p. 4).
     - Council resolution of 22 January 1990 concerning trans-European networks (OJ C 27,
        6.2.1990, p. 8).
     - 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 (OJL192, 24.7.1990,p. 1).
     - Commission Directive 90/388/EEC of 28 June 1990 on competition in the markets for
        telecommunications services (OJL192, 24.7.1990, p. 10).
     - Communication of 10 December 1990 from the Commission to the Council and the
       European Parliament entitled "Towards trans-European networks - For a Community
        action programme " [COM(90)585 final].
     - Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) presented by the Commission on 24 February
        1992 introducing a declaration of European interest to facilitate the establishment of
        trans-European networks in the telecommunications domain (OJ C 71, 20.3.1992, p.
        12.f.
        » ••
     - Conclusions of the Council of 31 March 1992 on trans-European networks.
 ---pagebreak---                                           q-k
     Council resolution of 5 June 1992 on the development of ISDN in the Community as a
     European-wide telecommunications infrastructure for 1993 and beyond (OJ C158,
     25.6.1992, p. 1).
     Council resolution of 7 December 1992 on making the Single Market work (OJ C 334,
     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 of (.../.../...) introducing a multiannual Community
     action for the development of ISDN as a trans-European network (TEN-ISDN).
4. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
   4.1  Specific objectives of operation:
        - To carry out an operation representing the Community's contribution to the
            establishment and development of trans-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 and to the availability of certain basic services
            throughout the Community in order to enable operators to participate fully in an
            internal market without frontiers.
            A second part of the Community activity is intended to assist the interconnection
            of such networks and interoperability of these basic services which are accessible
            via such networks. It consists in defining, for each area, a master plan of the
            trans-European network (such a plan already exists for ISDN) and then to
            implement the Community's contribution to the establishment of this network,
            while coordinating the activities contributing to this operation in the Member
            States, which will be called upon 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 and loan guarantees granted to those involved to
            carry out such projects. The Community contribution covers projects of joint
            interest and activities to promote interconnection of networks and
            interoperability of basic services.
         - 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.
 ---pagebreak---    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.
    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 5 million will be earmarked for feasibility studies, with an average of
         ECU 500 000 per study in the field of ISDN (ECU 5 million). In addition, for
         ISDN, ECU 5 million has to be set aside to finance interest subsidies.
 ---pagebreak---                                                         **r
      7.2 Breakdown of the individual components of the operation
  BREAKDOWN                               1993 BUDGET                      PDB 1994        CHANGE
                                                                                            IN%
  Studies                                ECU 5 million                 ECU 5 million          +40%
  Interest subsidies                                                   ECU 5 million
  TOTAL                                  ECU 5 million                ECU 10 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                          0                     ECU 100 000
  Information/publications                        0                     ECU 100 000
  TOTAL                                           0                     ECU 200 000
       7.4 Indicative schedule of commitment appropriations
Item B5-720
Trans-European networks in the field of telecommunications: ISDN
                                                      INDICATIVE SCHEDULE
  Consolida ed
   situation     Budget         PDB                                                  TOTAL
   end 1992        1993         1994
       (l)                                    1995          1996          1997
      0             5            10             19          26              30         90
(1) Including implementation of mini-budgets for 1991 and 1992 charged to subheading B8.
 ---pagebreak---                                               Sri
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 and 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 and 1994
          the operation will concentrate mainly on carrying out feasibility studies for projects
          of common interest which, when implemented in subsequent 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 and basic services. The second part relates to horizontal
          activities, including support for interconnection of networks and interoperability of
          basic services.
    9.2   Grounds for the operation
          The purpose of this operation is to endow the Community with the modern means 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 and 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 has 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 must also be made available.
          This Community support will be for a limited period and 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 measures 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. In every case, experience has shown
           that taking action after the event to rectify the lack of harmonization in such a
           development would prove more costly.
 ---pagebreak---                                            So
          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 and Community action. The principle of subsidiarity applies fully in
          this case.
    9.3   Monitoring and evaluation of the operation.
          Each feasibility study must state its exact objectives and define specific projects.
          The effectiveness of the operation will ultimately be judged by the amount of
          investment forthcoming from those involved in the sector.
          All operations will be evaluated on an annual basis (report). The assessment 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 annual report established by the Commission, based on the Council
          Recommendation of 22 December 1986.
    9.4   Consistency withfinancialplanning
          Provision for this operation has been made in the multiannualfinancialprogramme
          under 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 andfinancialengineering (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 has been said under 10.1, six category A staff will have to be
           provided in die 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, at a cost of ECU 12 000
           per meeting, will require a meetings budget of ECU 500 000 (A 250/251).
           Missions: ECU 75 000 (A 1300)
 ---pagebreak---                                             sn
                   NOTE TO THE COMMISSION FROM V . - P . M . BANGEMANN;
                  IN ASSOCIATION WITH COMMISSIONER VANNI D ' A R C H I R A F I )
Trans-European Telecommunications networks (TEN)
 1.  The introduction of the concept of trans-European networks in Tide XII of the Treaty on
     the European Union has led to the identification of three priorities for the application of
     this concept in the sector of telecommunications:
          TEN-TNA: Telematic Networks between Administrations; the necessity of which is
          directly derived from the needs of the single market;
          TEN-ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network; evolving out of the current
          telephone network. Since 1986, the year of the first Council Recommendation
          concerning this type of network, the harmonised introduction of ISDN based on
          European standards was promoted at the level of the Community;
          TEN-IBC: Integrated Broadband Communications; for which the Community's RACE
          programme has established the functional specifications and has laid the technology
          base for a European wide introduction.
     In these three priority areas, the methodology of the said Tide XII is used, which foresees
     to define:
          a series of guide-lines (schéma directeur) and
          a possible Community contribution for the implementation of the fixed objectives.
2.   The proposals concerning TEN-TNA1 have already been adopted by the Commission.
     Now, proposals for the two other priority areas are submitted.
    TEN-Intcrchangc of Data between Administrations; adopted on 15.03.1993; COM(93) 69 final;
 ---pagebreak---                                            S Z-
3. Concerning TEN-ISDN die following documents are introduced:
        a draft Communication to the Council and the EP;
        a proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Schéma Directeur and
        a second proposal for a Council Decision defining the envisaged Community
        contribution to the implementation of the Schéma Directeur
   This latter proposal is accompanied by a Financial Statement.
   Both proposals for Council Decisions are for the time being based on Article 235.
4. ISDN is a general, multi-purpose network integrating a large variety of voice, data and
   images services via a single network access.
   While in six Member States commercial ISDN offerings exist, in the other half of the
   Member States only pilot implementations are available at current. Moreover, the existing
   commercial ISDN implementations are not yet harmonised to the required extent which
   leads to problems notably with regard to the European-wide provision of basic services
   (apart from telephony, those services are by and large missing or have technical problems)
   and with regard to terminals, which cannot be interchanged freely owing to technical
   differences and hence, the free circulation of ISDN terminals is considerably hindered.
5. The transition and migration towards the EURO-ISDN which is fully based on harmonised
   European standards, is the main thrust of the proposed Community action. Taking account
   of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in which 26 (western) European public
   network operators have committed themselves to introduce EURO-ISDN, the proposed
   Community action foresees complementary measures aiming:
        to accelerate the roll out of EURO-ISDN;
        to remedy the bottle-necks (eg. the one's mentioned above) and
        thus, contribute to improved interconnectivity of the              infrastructure  and
         interoperability of the basic services.
   The investments required for a general deployment of EURO-ISDN are estimated at some
   tens of BECU and are to be financed by the public network operators. Over the period
    1993-97 the budget for the proposed Community contribution foresees 90 MECU. The
   eventual financial support of the Community can thus only be of the nature of incentives
   and will use the means indicated in Tide XII.
7. Integrated Broadband Communications can be described as the next major step of
   technological innovation of the general switched telecommunications infrastructure, after
   ISDN. IBC includes the capabilities for very high speed data transmission, for the
   transmission of high definition images and advanced multimedia applications.
 ---pagebreak---                                                  S3
     While commercial ISDN offerings have started already in the late 80*s and the target date
     for a general availability of EURO-ISDN is agreed for end 1994, a general commercial
     introduction of IBC will start after 1995. Notwithstanding this, increasingly elements of
     IBC technology are being introduced (eg. optical fibre, notably in the backbone of the
     switched network) already now. Other elements (eg. ATM2 technology) are the subject of
     major trials in the course of the coming years. As for ISDN, also for IBC, the
     development of some basic service is crucial.
     Regarding IBC services, the definition, technical development                  and   practical
     experimentation with such services is required in the next years.
8.  The overall time frame for the proposed Community action TEN-IBC is identical to the
    one for ISDN (93 - 97). Given the different status of ISDN on one hand and IBC on the
     other hand Cm terms of the technology and the timing of the introduction) the approach
     and the nature of the proposed Community action TEN-IBC will (partially) differ from
     TEN-ISDN. A full scale introduction of the IBC network may well extend into the next
      millenium .
     Regarding the approach for TEN-IBC, it is proposed to start with a preparatory action,
     which will be carried out during the following 24 months.
    To this end two documents have been elaborated:
          a proposal for a Commission Decision regarding the envisaged preparatory action
          TEN-IBC and
          a draft Communication informing the Council and the EP on this approach.
9.   For the action TEN-IBC, the budget planning for the period 1993-97 foresees an amount
     of 95 MECU. The investment for the network deployment will be in the order of 20 - 40
     BECU over the next ten years. Again as for ISDN, this will come onto the charge of the
     public network operators. The proposed Community financial support will only be a minor
     stimulation.
10. Both types of networks have the nature of a general infrastructure, which implies that a
     full geographical penetration (this is the defined policy objective) will extend over more
     than a decade. Also in view of the current regulatory regime and the planned further
     liberalisation, the basic problem is the creation of a "critical mass" so that a stage of self-
     contained demand is reached. The proposed Community actions aim precisely at the
     support of mis initial phase.
11. The general availability of a modern telecommunications infrastructure will notably be for
     the benefit of many SME's. While large cooperate users can afford dedicated solutions,
     SME's typically depend on die general infrastructure.
    Asynchronous Transfer Mode, a switching technology used for IBC
 ---pagebreak---                                             SH
    Moreover, a modern telecommunications infrastructure will also contribute to an improved
    functioning of the single market, given the increasing trans-frontier communications needs
    which will arise for the participants of that market.
12. Owing to the infrastructural nature of both networks, measures in support of them will
    furthermore have a possible impact in the context of the growth initiative.
    Firstly, it can be expected that the enormous investments will have a direct impact on the
    employment.
    Beyond this direct effect, the availability of a modem communications infrastructure is a
    crucial factor for the competitiveness of the European countries as a location for
    entrepreneurial activities, since the cost of communications presents an increasingly
    important cost factor for enterprises in general.
13. With respect to social and economic cohesion, the trans-European telecommunications
    networks have a two-pronged role to play:
         the geographical coverage of the peripheral regions of the Community will allow to
         the users and in particular to the SME's to benefit from advanced services which is
         crucial for an efficient operation of their activities;
         they can become an essential factor concerning the cooperation of the central and
         peripheral regions of the Community, thus favouring the development of a truly
         harmonised single market.
14. Finally, reference to similar efforts in the U.S. (Al Gore initiative) and the law on the
    enhancement of the telecommunications infrastructure in Japan is made. Europe has to
    watch not to fall behind those two regions in yet another key high technology domain.
CONCLUSIONS
15. In the field of telecommunications the Commission has worked out clear proposals
    regarding TEN-ISDN and TEN-IBC. Those proposals are based on a close collaboration
    with the main sector actors concerned and are supported by them.
    In view of the importance of these proposals in the context of the growth initiative, for the
    social and economic cohesion and for the competitiveness of Europe, a rapid adoption of
    the proposals would help considerably to achieve the objectives and to realise that the full
    potential benefits can be developed.
    The agreement of the Collège to the proposed documents TEN-ISDN and TEN-IBC is
    requested.
                                                                                                  (4)
 ---pagebreak---                                                        A
                                  SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION                                                       ANNEX A
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is an acronym describing the provision of a wide range of existing
and new telecommunications services over digital networks, making them available to customers through a
standardised single access point.
ISDN removes the barriers between speech, data, text and video services, integrating them into a single digital
telecommunications network. The provision of end-to-end digital connectivity guarantees high-quality network
performance to customers.
ISDN provides significant benefits to the customer in terms of availability of services and usage flexibility. Cost
effectiveness due to more efficient utilisation of telecommunications facilities arc an added benefit from a
customer's point of view.
ISDN offers a range of services particularly suitable for emerging new (customer) applications. In particular the
business worid can benefit from the increased speed of ISDN connectivity and conformity to international
standards.
Conformity to international standards will guarantee die use of compatible equipment and terminals and make
international interconnection possible in an easy and economical matter.
The introduction of ISDN is carried out in such a way as to ensure that it coexists and interworks with existing
dedicated networks, and that ISDN terminals will communicate with non-ISDN terminals.
ISDN can therefore be seen as a most attractive and powerful tool available to the business community worldwide.
 ---pagebreak---                              SECTION 2 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
This section provides definitions for a number of terms used in section 3.
ISDN = Integrated Services Digital Network
PSTN = Public Switched Telephone Network
PSPDN = Packet Switched Public Data Network
CHANNELS
Two types of channel arc defined in the ISDN:
a) The B-channcl is a communication channel used to support the transmission of voice data or image with a
   capacity of 64 kbil/s.
b) The D-channel is a signalling channel used for the establishment of B-channel links. The D-channel can also
   be used for the transmission of user data.
ACCESS TO THE NETWORK
There are two types of access to the ISDN network:
a) Basic access with two B-channels and one D-channel of 16 kbit/s. It can support up to eight terminal devices.
   Therefore it is suitable for small business units and the residential market (see Figure 1).
                      Figura 1:
                                 EXAMPLE OF A BASIC ACCESS
                                             CONFIGURATION
                                                                                    PC
                                                                                    X.25 terminal
                                                                                    FAX 3
                         maximum of                                                 Analog telephones
                         8 connected
                         terminal
                                                                         Si\        Digital ISDN
                                                                    "»g£            telephone
                                                                                    ISDN data
                                                                   ^liMiWtB^        terminal
                                                                   ^ , ^ #          FAX 4
                       NT r     Network Termination
                       TA =     Terminal Adaptor (to conrvacl n o n - ISDN   tormina!)
 ---pagebreak--- TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (continued)
b) Primary access with thirty B-channels and one D-channel at 64 kbit/s. Suitable for larger business units with
   complex equipment such as large PABX's, host computers and LAN's (Figure 2). ^
                        Figura 2:
                                                 TYPES OF ACCESS
                           BASIC ACCESS                                Channels
                                               . inmmm                  B - 6 4 kbit/s (communication)
                                               5I|§||||                 B - 6 4 kbit/s (communication)
                                                  Mil
                                                   mm
                                                                        D - 16 kbit/s (signalling)
                           PRIMARY ACCESS
                                                                        Bi - 6 4 kbit/s  (communication)
                                                                        B M - 6 4 kbit/s (communication)
                                                                        D - 6 4 kbit/s (signalling)
                           Note: the wiring is not considered in this figure.
TYPES OF INTERFACE (or REFERENCE POINTS)
Interfaces are defined us the points at w h i c h dissimilar (or s i m i l a r ) equipment or functions are interconnected.
In I S D N different reference points are defined. For the user, these reference points are the S and T interlaces in
the case where I S D N terminal equipment is used. T h i s eliminates the need for equipment such a^ modems and key
^ei controllers.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                            TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (continued)
It is possible to connect non-ISDN terminals to the ISDN network using terminal adapters. In this case the interface
for the user is the R interface (sec Figure 3).
             Figure 3:
                                        Types of user interface
                                             TA s Terminal Adapter
                                              NT 1 s ISDN Natworfc laminating Equipmant (OCE)
                                              NT 2 s Switdhing Equipmant. ie. ISPBX (OTE)
R      = Interface between a non-ISDN terminal and the terminal adapter.
S      = Interface between an ISDN device and the network termination.
T      = Interface between an ISDN network termination and the network.
         In the case of an ISDN non-swiiching device the S and T interfaces are the same.
NT = Represents the physical point at which the ISDN configuration on the user's premises connects to the
         network.
 ---pagebreak--- TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (continued)                           r
ISDN SERVICES
ISDN services are divided into two main categories (sec Figure 4).
a) Bearer services
These arc transport services where the information delivered by the network is transferred without alteration or
addition. Issues related to format or presentation of information are not predefined. In other words, the information
is transported between network terminations (NT) in a transparent mode.
b) Teleservices
A teleservice is a service as defined by the terminal equipment functionality. A teleservice always uses a bearer
service. When a user selects a teleservice the network will provide the appropriate bearer service.
         Figure 4:
                                           Types of services
                                                    BEARER SERVICES
                                                      TELESERVICES
             NT = Natworfc Termination
 ---pagebreak---                                                         6               TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (continued)
Supplementary services
Supplementary services arc additional facilities offered by the ISDN network in conjunction wiih cither bearer or
tclcscrviccs. Consequently they cannot be offered to a user as stand-alone services. Some supplementary services
in the ISDN arc suitable for non-voice communication and some only suitable for voice communication. It is up
to the user to choose the appropriate set of supplementary services to suit the application in question (sec Figure 5).
                         Figure S:
                                            ISDN Reference Model
                                                      APPLICATION
                                                                     TELESERVICES
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY
                                                        SERVICES
                                                    BEARER SERVICES
                                 Public Switched      Packet Switched
                               Telephone Network    Public Data Network
          In Ubereinstimmung mit der Richtlinie 90/388/EWG kônnen ISDN-Dienste auch
          durch andere Betreiber, als die ôffentUchen Netzbetreiber, angeboten werden. Die
           Mitgliedstaaten kônnen jedoch, bis zu einem Datum das derzeit diskutiert wird, diesen
          anderen Betreibern das kommerzielle Anbieten des offentlichen Telefondienstes
           untersagen.
 ---pagebreak--- TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (continued)                               3-
Inter/working
ISDN users can communicate with users of other existing networks, e.g. the Public Switched Telephone Network,
the Packet Switched Public Data Network, etc. through interworking functions provided by the network.
Intercommunication
Non-ISDN terminal equipment can be connected to the ISDN by means of a terminal adapter and may intercommu-
nicate with compatible terminals connected to existing networks. In this case, the user has to select the appropriate
bearer service, e.g. Telefax Group 3. On the terminal adapter he then selects the 64 kbit/s bearer service usable
for 3.1 kHz audio information transfer (see Figure 6).
         Figure 6:
                             Intercommunication: e.g. telefax gr. 3
                                        3.1 kHz bearer service.
            TA     s Terminal Adapter
             IWU = Interworking unit
             PSTN s Public SwrtdUd Telephone Ntworfc
 ---pagebreak---                                                              $             TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (continued)
The possibilities of intercommunication between ISDN telcscrviccs and PSTN services are shown in Figure 7.
                         Figure 7:
                                          INTERCOMMUNICATION
                                        BETWEEN ISDN AND PSTN
                                                    TELESERVICES
                          \FROM              * *
                                                               ISDN                    PSTN
                                             H    X
                                                   N   N           X          c
                                                                              o
                                                                                  >>   «     X
                            TO\^
                                             4    *
                                                  w
                                                  m
                                                      X    X
                                                               X
                                                               «
                                                                   «
                                                                   «  X      tî
                                                                              « il
                                                                                       S
                                                                                       «  2 1
                           Net-       T«|e-           2        2 5    2                     "O
                           work      servie*N                                r? >••»  •2
                                   Tel. 3.1 KHz •    •                               •   mm
                                    Tel. 7 KHz   •   •                  m            •
                             I
                                    Telefax 4            •    m      •                   •
                             S
                                      Télétex            •    m      •
                            D       Videotex                     •   •                      m
                            N          MHS
                                      Audio-
                                                         •    m  •   •                   m  *
                                      graphic        •   •              m                m
                                    Teleaction                       •      •
                                    Video-
                                    telephony                                   m
                            P      Telephone     •   •                               •
                            S
                            T
                                       FAX 3             •           •  •                m
                            N       Videotex                     •   •                      •
                          MHS = Message Handling Service
                          ISDN s Integrated Services Digital Network
                          PSTN s Public Switched Telephone Network
                                     Audiographic = Audiographic teleconferencing
 ---pagebreak--- TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (continued)                                     >
Communication modes
ISDN offers two communication modes, circuit mode and packet mode. The services offered on the B-channcl are
in circuit mode (one channel allocated for each communication). Packet services are offered on the D-channel
(several communications on the some physical circuit). They can also be offered over a B-channcl using packet
handling interfaces (see Figure 8).
       R9U 8
            '                     PACKET C O M M U N I C A T I O N M O D E
       CASE A -
       minimum integration
                                                                                      DTE - Oat* Terminal Equipment
                                                                                      PH -Packet Handler
                                                                                      X 2 5 - access protocol
                                                                                     X.75 - linkage protocol between I
                                                                                      IWU • Interworking unit
                                                                                     for interworking wHh areas not covered
                                                                                     by ISDN
                                                                                     PSPDN - Packet Swhchtd Public Data Network
       CASE A - ISON acts as a transparent connection to a PSPDN port, using 8 channel and 44 kbtt/s unrestricted boarar.
       CASE • • ISDN provides a number of Packet Handlers, accessible via the 8 or D channels, enabling switching between
                 )C2S DTE*s connected to ISDN accesses. Interworking with PSPDN b ensured.
 ---pagebreak---                                                         A*>
                                                                              ANNEX B
User/network
interfaces:              Basic R a l e Access ( B R A )
                         P r i m a r y R a t e Access ( P R A )
International
Interface:               ISDN User Part, Version 1
Bearer
Services (BS):           Circuit mode 641cbit/s unrestricted BS
                         Circuit mode 3.1kHz audio BS
Supplementary
Services:                Calling Line Identification Presentation
                         Calling Line Identification Restriction
                         Direct Dialling In
                         Multiple Subscriber Number
                         Tenninal Portability
 Tele-
 Services:                the ISDN includes capabilities to support a
                          number of teleservices
                Tabic 1: Scope of EURO-ISDN
       Remarks:
       The notion EURO-ISDN refers to the implementation of ISDN as it is described in a
       memorandum of understanding from April 1989, signed by 26 public network operators from
       20 European countries.
       The implementation of EURO-ISDN will be based on harmonised standards prepared by ETSI
       which are summarised in the ETSI Technical Report No. 10 (ETR 10); ETR 10 can be
       obtained from the ETSI Secretariat.
 ---pagebreak---             M
ANNEX C Summary of Euro ISDN availability
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                        NOTES ON MAPS AND TABLES:
1) The % of territorial coverage of EURO-ISDN is defined in this context
as: areas ( of an administrative region) where BRI. fully conformant with
ETS 300.153, and PRI fully conformant with ETS 300.156, are available.
This means that existing national ISDN offerings, where the user network
interfaces are not fully in line with these ETSs, are no±_considered here.
2) The definition of "coverage is: The % of an administrative region where
EURO-ISDN is available, at year end, either by direct connection to a local
switch which is equipped with EURO-ISDN BRI or PRI, or where a local
network area has access to EURO-ISDN BRI and PRI by means of remote
access (if offered on a regular basis).
3) As each country is organised somewhat differently, and information
was not always presented in the same manner, for the determination of an
appropriate scale or granularity the editors have had to scale the
percentages rather broadly.
4) As each country provided information in a slightly different manner,
the shadings are map specific.
 ---pagebreak---     % COVERAGE EURO-ISDN BRI PER YEAR
                                                                       COVERAGE
  BELGIUM
                                                                                <= 1 0 %
  DENMARK
  FRANCE     (3)
                                                                                <= 20 %
  GERMANY         new Lander
                  old Lander
  GREECE
                                                                                <= 40 %
  IRELAND
  ITALY      (i)                                                                         v3
                                                                                <= 6 0 %
  LUXEMBOURG
   NETHERLANDS
  PORTUGAL        TP                                                            <= 80 %
                  TLP
   SPAIN
  UK               BT                                                            <= 100%
                   MERCURY   (2)
(1)  NO DISTINCTION IS PROVIDED BETWEEN B-ISDN AND P-ISDN
(2)  NO INFORMATION PROVIDED
(3)  THIS INFORMATION IS VALID ONLY IF CURRENT REGULATION IS UNCHANGED
 ---pagebreak---   % COVERAGE EURO-ISDN PRI PER YEAR
                                                                       COVERAGE
BELGIUM
                                                                                <= 10 %
DENMARK
FRANCE     (3)
                                                                                <= 20 %
GERMANY         new Lander
                old Lander
GREECE
                                                                                <= 40 %
IRELAND
                                                                                         JE
          (1)
ITALY
                                                                                <= 6 0 %
LUXEMBOURG
 NETHERLANDS'
PORTUGAL        TP                                                              <= 80 %
                TLP
 SPAIN
UK              BT                                                               <= 100%
                MERCURY    (2)
  )  NO DISTINCTION IS PROVIDED BETWEEN. B-ISDN AND P-ISDN
  •  NO INFORMATION PROVIDED
  •  'HIS INFORMATION IS VALID ONLY IF CURRENT REGULATION IS UNCHANGED
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                AÇ
ANNEX D %territorial coverage of Euro ISDN
        per country / Operator
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak--- % GEC^RAPHIC®^EBffli
         BELGIUM                                                          90         100         100  100
                           "s * \> ''
         DENMARK                                         100             100         100         100  100
         FRANCE                                                           10          90          100 100
         GERMANY     old lônde^; ^                                       100         100         100  100
                            <•<.'•.    v   -    s   *
                     new Lender                                           20          60         100  100
         GREECE                                                              '2 Provinces 7 Provinces
         IRELAND                                                           8          40          45   50
         ITALY                                                            20          70          100 100
                                             S
                        .V          •.   ,     S  h ">
         LUXEMBOURG                                                     CITY         100         100  100
         NETHERLANDS                                         '30 cities               70         100  100
         PORTUGAL    TP ' } ;                         ^   50             100         100         100  100
                     TLP                                  10              40          50         100  100
                            V                          %
         SPAIN           -                    >                           20
                                                                                      40           80 100
         U.K.
                                                          40             100
                                                                                     100         100  100
                     MERCURY
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN BR11992
                    TT
  Coverage
             <=10%
             <=20%
             <=40%
             <=60%
             <=80%
          'A
             <=100%
                                 Vf
                                        47. •
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN BRI 1993
                  •3
  Coverage
           <=10%
           <=20%
           <=40%
           <=60%
   V,   ^  <=80%
           <=100%
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN BR11994
  Coverage
                                        >
           <=10%
           <=20%
           <=40%
           <=60%
           <=100%
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN BR11995
  Coverage
           <=10%
           <=20%
                                        s
           <=40%
           <=60%
           <=80%
           <= 100%
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN BR11996
                  S
  Coverage
           <=10%
                                        V>
           <=20%
           <=40%
           <=60%
   V,      <=80%
         A
           <=100%
 ---pagebreak---                   U-
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 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN PRI 1992 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN PR11993
  Coverage
             <=10%
            <=20%
            <=40%
            <=60%
            <= 80%
        <2A
             <=100%
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN PR11994
                  S
  Coverage
           <=10%
                                        <0
           <=20%
           <=40%
           <=60%
       m   <=80%
           <=100%
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN PRI 1995
  Coverage
           <=10%
           <=20%
           <=40%
           <=60%
           <=80%
           <= 100%
 ---pagebreak--- GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE EURO-ISDN PR11996
  Coverage
           <=10%
                                        £
           <=20%
           <=40%
           <=60%
           <=80%
         A
           <=100%
 ---pagebreak--- T U R O F E'URO-ISON I N T E R N A T I O N A L I N T E R C O N N E C T I O N P U N N E D WITH MEMBER STATES (ISUP V1).
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 from:
                                                                                                                                             1003            1993
                                                1093                                     1993
 BSJ3UM
                                                                                                                                                             1994      1993       1993
                                                                      1993            • 1994        1993          1993   1993  4W     1903   1993
  DENMARK               1993
                                                                                                                                              1993 |S)S       1994     1904
                                                 1893/3^                                 1993/94
  FRANCE                  'WISH
                                                                                                                                                              1994     1093        1993
                                                                                                                  1893   1993         1003    1993
                                                 1993                 1993                          1993
  GEWMNY                  1883
                                                                                                                                              199*            1994
  CFESCS                                         1994
                                                                                                                                                              1994     1994        1993
                                                                                                                  1993   1093         1003    1903
                                                 1993                 1993                1993       1993
  IRELAND                  1993
                                                                                                                                                              1994
                                                                                                                                              1993
                                                 1993                                     1093
  ITALY
                                                                                                                                              1994            1994     1994        1994
                                                                                                                  1994   1994         1004
                                                 1994                 1994                1994       1904
  LUXEMBOLfiQ              1984
                                                                                                                                1003^
                                                                                                                                              1993             1994
                                                                                          1993
   NETWEBLANOS              '893
                                                                                                                                                               1994     1993        1993
                                                                                                                   1093   1993         1003
                                                  1993                  1993              1994       1993
   PCPTTUQAL             1993
                                                                                                                                               1994            1994     1994        1994
                                                                                                                   1994   1094         1004
                                                  1994                  1994              1994       1994
   SPAIN                   199 4
                                                                                                                                       1003    1993            1994
   U.K.                                                                                                            1994
                                                  1903                   1994
              0T
        NS^CUHY
                                                                                                                                1094
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                       ISSN 0254-1475
                                                               COM(93) 347 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                               15
                                 Catalogue number : CB-CO-93-380-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-77-58069-0
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
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