Who will be responsible for providing the universal telecommunications service in Spain next year? Telefónica’s nomination period ends on 31 December and any interested operator can participate in the tender and choose to provide the service.
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The CNMC has just published a report on the tender that will be carried out to designate the new operator responsible for providing the universal telecommunications service. This report collects the novelties and new features of the universal service governed by the General Law on Telecommunications, approved this year. We tell you:
What does the universal telecommunications service now include?
The universal service it guarantees all citizens access to a series of services “regardless of their geographical location, with a certain quality and at an affordable price”. This includes bringing the telecommunications network to anywhere in the country, inclusive unprofitable areas.
Among the most important developments after the approval of the new general law on telecommunications is the establishment of a minimum internet access speed of 10 Mbps downstream (currently 1 Mbps). The CNMC believes, however, that it should be specified whether this minimum speed is applicable to all users or if a certain percentage of deviation is allowed, as well as establishing ascending speed and delay requirements to ensure quality of service.
Another important novelty is the definitive exclusion from the universal service of elements such as telephone booths, telephone advisory services on subscriber numbers and telephone directories. (We’ve talked about this many times here).
Starting next year, therefore, the universal telecommunications service will focus on adequate and available broadband Internet access over a fixed connection and on voice services delivered over that connection.
And the prices?
With the new law, the obligations regarding the accessibility of the universal service are extended to all operators providing Internet access services and voice services, including the operator designated to provide the universal service. Also, for the first time operators are expected to charge affordable prices not only in relation to voice communication services, but also for the provision of broadband Internet access service.
The person in charge will be the CNMC (in coordination with the Ministry). monitor the evolution and the level of public tariffs for the services included in the universal service and may request the modification or cancellation of the tariff options or packages offered by operators to low-income consumers or consumers with particular social needs.
If you want more information, see: IPN/CNMC/047/22
And, as we mentioned before, we’ve already talked about cabins a few times, maybe you remember:
