XN000022-1983-07-23 — Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1983

DEREGULATION PROVIDES FOR MORE COMPETITION

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IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR. THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED ITS AGREEMENT TO THE EXCLUSION FROM THE TELEPHONE COMPANY SCHEME OF CONTROL OF THOSE SERVICES WHICH DID NOT FORM PART OF THE PUBLIC TELEPHONE SERVICE.

THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A NUMBER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, SUCH AS PABX SYSTEMS, TO BE PROVIDED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID ́ TODAY (SATURDAY).

HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PUBLIC TELEPHONE NETWORK, IT IS NECESSARY FOR ALL EQUIPMENT INTENDED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE NETWORK TO COMPLY WITH A PERMISSION TO CONNECT+ PROCEDURE OPERATED BY TELCO.

IF AGREEMENT ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF EQUIPMENT CANNOT BE REACHED BETWEEN TELCO AND THE SUPPLIERS, THE LATTER CAN APPEAL TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY.

AS OF JULY 1, 1983, A WELL-DOCUMENTED +PERMISSION TO CONNECT+ PROCEDURE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN RESPECT OF PABX'S, THUS ENABLING FREE COMPETITION IN THE SALE, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WERE BEING HELD BETWEEN TELCO AND THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY TO ENABLE SIMILAR PROCEDURES TO BE INTRODUCED FOR ITEMS SUCH AS DATA MODEMS AND TELEPHONE INSTRUMENTS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO TELCO'S MORE INTENSIVE +TYPE APPROVAL+ PROCESS.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE NEW PROCEDURES WILL REQUIRE A RESPONSIBLE PERSON FROM THE SUPPLIER'S OR AGENT'S ORGANISATION TO CERTIFY COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN BASIC REQUIREMENTS ON SAFETY, NETWORK COMPATIBILITY AND FREEDOM FROM INTERFERENCE.

IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE SPEEDIER AND CHEAPER AND WILL RESULT IN THE AVAILABILITY TO THE PUBLIC OF A WIDE RANGE OF COMPETITIVE ITEMS WHICH ARE KNOWN TO BE SAFE AND TROUBLE-FREE.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT MANY OF THE SERVICES NOW OPEN TO COMPETITION, PARTICULARLY THOSE USING RADIO, REQUIRE A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, AND INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD MAKE ENQUIRIES BEFORE TAKING ANY STEPS TO SET UP SUCH SERVICES.

THE FOLLOWING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SHOWN, HAVE BEEN DEREGULATED :

/PROVISION OF