The Commission for Communications Regulation today issued a consultation paper on aspects of the telecoms Universal Service Obligation. The paper relates to the obligation on Eircom to provide connections the public telephone network.
Eircom is the designated Universal Service Provider, and is required to fulfil obligations which are set out by the Minister for Communications, Marine and National Resources.
ComReg says that the provision of a working connection to the fixed telephone network is important to Irish society. 'Its availability is therefore expected by all,' it added.
On access to the telephone network, ComReg is proposing that Eircom should meet all requests for connections within stated timeframes. It also says that all connections which cost less than €7,000 should be covered by the standard connection charge and that where the cost is more than €7,000, applicants should be able to get the service by paying the excess.
On functional internet access, ComReg is proposing guidelines for meeting a required minimum data rate of 28.8 kbit/s for narrowband internet access. Where this standard is not available, ComReg will expect that Eircom will 'use all reasonable efforts to rectify the situation'.
'Universal Service is really about social inclusion, and access to basic telephone services is a right of all members of society,' commented ComReg Commissioner Mike Byrne.
'This consultation will contribute to providing greater clarity as to the nature of that right and also in the nature of the duty which Eircom has in delivering access,' he added.
The consultation process is open from today until April 6, during which time ComReg said it will welcome written submissions on the proposals. It said it would consider all views before any final decisions are made.
Speaking tonight on RTE radio Eircom's commercial director David McRedmond welcomed ComReg's consultation as he thinks it is the correct way to do regulation, with everyone contributing to the debate.
He said that if is an universal service obligation then telecoms should be designated as an essential service.
