Country by country
commitments back
to top
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Offers to liberalize international voice telephony services by 2010;
domestic voice telephony is reserved to the exclusive operator. Also
undertakes to liberalize other basic telecommunication services such as
data transmission and private leased circuit services by 2012. Opens to
full competition the provision of data transmission over closed user
groups, internet and internet access services (excluding voice),
teleconferencing as well as several value-added services. Allows the
provision of terrestrial-based mobile services (cellular, data, PCS,
paging and trunked radio system) through commercial presence. Commits to
allow cross-border supply of satellite-based mobile services (including
voice, data, PCS, paging and trunked radio systems) and of fixed satellite
services through commercial arrangements with the exclusive operator.
Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List to enable the Government to extend to
nationals of other Caricom-Member countries treatment equal to its own
nationals with respect to joint venture requirements.
ARGENTINA
Phased-in commitment liberalizing voice telephony (local, long-distance
and international) and provision of other basic telecommunications
services supplied on an international basis by November 2000. Offers full
competition in basic services other than voice such as data transmission,
etc. supplied in the national market and leased circuit services
(international and national) without phase-in. Offers open competition in
mobile telecommunications services such as data, paging, and trunking.
Commits on duopoly in mobile cellular services and undertakes to allow new
entrants subject to an economic needs test for the provision of mobile
Personal Communication Services. Improved offer committed to the Reference
Paper on regulatory principles.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List on telecommunications services
involving the supply of fixed satellite services by geostationary
satellites.
AUSTRALIA
Offers unrestricted competition in virtually all basic telecom services
as of July 1997. Commits on existing free markets for voice telephone on a
resale basis and many other basic services. Offers to end limits on the
number of satellite service providers (currently set at 2) and on primary
suppliers of public mobile cellular telephony and facilities-based
carriers (both currently set at 3) as of July 1997. Offers no limits on
foreign equity for new carriers. Permits foreign equity up to 11.7% of the
government controlled carrier, TELSTRA, and requires majority Australian
ownership of the mobile carrier, Vodaphone. Improved offer removed foreign
equity limitation of Optus. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
BANGLADESH
Licenses two operators, in addition to the Government operator, to
supply domestic long distance and local voice services as well as
transmission facilities (leased circuit services). Commits to full
competition in voice and data transmission over closed used groups and for
internet access services. Licenses four suppliers of cellular mobile voice
telephone services. Indicates that it will review the possibility of
adding regulatory principles in the future.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List to permit the
Government or the Government-run operator to apply differential measures,
such as accounting rates, in bilateral agreements with other operators or
countries. (See also the related points made in the final Report on the
Group).
BARBADOS
Liberalizes voice telephony, data transmission, and
private leased circuit services offered to the general public in 2012 when
the monopoly exclusivity expires; for non-public use, the supply of voice
telephony, data transmission and facsimile services are opened for
competition on the basis of facilities leased from the monopoly up until
2012 and on own facilities thereafter. Also undertakes to liberalize other
basic telecommunication services such as data transmission and private
leased circuit services by 2012. Allows unrestricted supply of
terrestrial- and satellite-based mobile services (cellular, data, PCS, and
paging) as of 1999. Commits on a variety of value-added services,
including internet access and to V-SAT services for non-public use.
Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
BELIZE
Offers a phased-in commitment to allow open competition
in trunked radio service and teleconferencing by 2003 as well as paging
and various value-added telecommunications services by 2008. Commits to
the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
BOLIVIA
Offers to phase in competition in all domestic long
distance and international basic services in November 2001. Local voice
telephony provided by 16 exclusive local suppliers while all other basic
services for local market liberalized. Offers full competition without
phase in for the local, national and international supply of all basic
services (including voice) to closed user groups and for the supply of
mobile services, including cellular services, mobile data services, radio
navigation, paging services, PCS and mobile satellite services. No
restrictions on foreign ownership. Includes some regulatory principles.
BRAZIL
Improved commitment offered to end the monopoly and
introduce improved commitments on public telecom services, and to submit
commitments on regulatory principles within one year, rather than two,
from the date of passage of the new telecommunications law. Commits, with
no phase-in, to open markets for the paging services and the supply to
closed user groups of all basic telecom services (including voice).
Commits to establish cellular telephone duopolies in each of designated
markets. Competition allowed in satellite transport services, subject to
the requirement that satellites with orbital positions notified by Brazil
must be used unless their services are not equivalent to those of
satellites notified by other countries. Improved offer also commits to
phase-out the 49% (direct and indirect) foreign equity limits on cellular
telephony and satellite transport services as of July 1999. Also commits
to full competition in many value-added services. Commits to introduce
regulatory principles within one year after the enactment of the new law.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List on the distribution
of radio or television programming directly to consumers.
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Offers to undertake a policy review in 2010 on whether
to allow additional suppliers in local public voice telephone services
(currently monopoly), international public voice telephone services
(currently duopoly) and in cellular telephone services (currently
monopoly). Commits on Reference Paper as additional commitments.
BULGARIA
Phased-in commitments to liberalize public voice
telephone, telegraph and telex services on a non-facilities basis as of
2003 and on a facilities basis as of 2005. Offers full liberalization
without phase in of data transmission, paging and mobile data non-public
voice telephone services and of VSAT and other satellite services
(excluding voice service until 2003). Commits to liberalize digital and
analogue cellular telephone subject to a requirement, until 2003, that
international traffic use network facilities of the monopoly. Commits to
the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
CANADA
In improvements made 14 February, certain routing
restrictions and foreign equity limits on many services were scheduled to
be phased out by the year 2000 and advanced the date for the elimination
of Telesat's exclusive rights on satellite facilities and earth stations
serving the US/Canada market to March 2000. In other improvements, removed
a requirement that Canadian equity holding in mobile satellite systems
must equal Canadian usage levels. Also agreed to remove, as of October
1998, restrictions on obtaining licenses to land submarine cables. Offers
a liberalized regime for resale-based competition in local telephone
services and in most other basic telecom services. Limits foreign equity
in all facilities-based suppliers to 20% direct and 46.7% combined direct
and indirect foreign ownership. Teleglobe's monopoly on overseas (non-US)
facilities-based service will be eliminated and its foreign equity limits
will be raised to the 46.7% in October 1998. Telesat Canada's exclusive
rights on satellite facilities and earth stations serving US/Canada market
will be eliminated as of March 2000. Maintains a few limitations on market
access for telephone service in certain cities or Provinces. Commits to
the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
CHILE
Offers full competition in the national long distance
and international markets for all basic telecom services, including mobile
and satellite services. No commitment taken on the provision of basic
telecom services in local markets. Revised offer committed on the
Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
COLOMBIA
Offers open competition in facilities based local voice
telephony and data transmission for public use as well as voice and other
basic telecom services over closed user groups. Public facilities based
long distance and international voice telephony are reserved to the public
operator; further additional operators to be determined based on an
economic needs test. For cellular telephone service, the regional
duopolies will be liberalized in September 1999, after which new entrants
permitted subject to technical constraints. Commits to a limited number of
suppliers by 2000 in personal communication services, and by July 1997 for
paging and facilities-based trunking. Also commits to the provision of
satellite transport capacity exclusively for geostationary satellite
systems. Foreign equity limit of 70% for all telecommunication service
providers. Improved offer committed on the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Voice telephone service over fixed network
infrastructure and telex are reserved to monopoly provision for 10 years
but will thereafter be opened to unrestricted competition. Open market
access (without phase-in) is offered for all other basic telecom services
including data transmission, all mobile networks and services, video
transmission services and satellite services, links, capacity, and earth
stations. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
CYPRUS
The schedule indicates that telecommunication services
are currently under monopoly, but that the Government has commission a
study to review telecom policy covering issues related to the regulatory
framework and changes necessary for the gradual liberalization of the
market. It also indicates that Ministers are expected to decide during
1998 on the specific measures to be adopted.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Full competition in all segments of voice telephone,
leased circuit services and satellite services after the year 2000.
Commits to open markets with no phase in for voice over closed user
groups, data transmission, various mobile services (excluding
international voice until 2000), video transport and frame relay. The
improved offer included the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
DOMINICA
Offers full competition for data transmission over
closed user groups, several value-added telecommunications services as
well as internet and internet access services (excluding voice) and
teleconferencing. Commits to allow cross-border supply of satellite-based
mobile (including voice, data, PCS, paging and trunked radio system) and
fixed satellite services through commercial arrangements with the
exclusive operator. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Commits to allow provision of all basic services
including voice, data REPUBLIC transmission, private leased circuits as
well as mobile maritime and air to ground communications services through
commercial presence. The improved offer included the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
ECUADOR
Makes a commitment on market access for cellular
telephony which is free of market access restrictions.
EL SALVADOR
Offers full competition of basic telecom services
(facilities-based and resale) for all market segments (local, long
distance and international) including, for example, voice telephony, data
transmission, private leased circuits, paging and mobile cellular
services. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Improvements included: Portugal advanced the
liberalization date for public voice telephony to 2000 and facilities
based services to July 1999 and undertook an additional commitment to
partially remove the foreign equity restriction (currently 25%) by 1999
subject to parliamentary approval; Spain advanced the liberalization date
to December 1998 (one additional nation-wide licence in January 1998) and
removed 25% foreign equity restriction; and Belgium removed 49% foreign
equity restriction. The EC offer commits to complete liberalization of
basic telecom services (facilities-based and resale) across the EC for all
market segments (local, long distance and international). Offer also
covers, for example, satellite networks and services and all mobile and
personal communications services and systems. Restrictions include foreign
equity limits by France (20%: radio-based services, direct investment
only) and Portugal (25%). Full liberalization of public voice telephony
and facilities-based services to be implemented on a delayed basis only by
Spain in December 1998; by Ireland in 2000; by Greece in 2003; and by
Portugal in 2000 for public voice telephony and July 1999 for facilities
based services. Liberalization of internationally connected mobile and
personal communications services to be implemented on a delayed basis only
by Ireland and Portugal in 1999. Commits to the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
GHANA
Commits to maintain two facilities-based suppliers
providing local, long distance and international public voice telephone
services and private leased circuit services. Offers to licence additional
suppliers of local voice services to underserved population centres and to
undertake a policy review possibly allowing new entrants to supply voice
telephony once the five-year exclusivity of the duopoly operators have
expired. Offers full competition in data transmission, internet and
internet access (excluding voice) and teleconferencing. Undertakes a
commitment on mobile services (terrestrial and satellite-based) including
mobile data services, fixed satellite services, paging and cellular with
the reservation that cross-border voice services can only be supplied
through commercial arrangements with the duopoly operators. Commits to the
Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
GRENADA
Offers to phase-in liberalization of most basic
telecommunication services in all market segments including voice
telephony, data transmission, private leased circuits and terrestrial
mobile services by 2006. Commits to full competition in value-added
telecom services, trunked radio systems and internet and internet access
service (excluding voice). Permits the supply of satellite-based mobile
services (including voice, data, PCS) and fixed satellite services through
commercial arrangements with the exclusive operator until 2006; no
restrictions thereafter. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
GUATEMALA
Offers full competition in basic telecom services
(facilities-based and resale) for all market segments (local, long
distance and international) including voice telephony, data transmission,
private leased circuits, paging, mobile cellular and satellite services.
Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
HONG KONG, CHINA
In a February
revision committed on international simple resale for facsimile and data
transmission services. Already provided access to the local market for
many basic telecommunications services including voice and data
transmission as well as mobile radio telephone and mobile data services.
For local fixed-network services, four licences already issued and
issuance of further licences will be given consideration in June 1998.
Commits to permit call back and other alternative international calling
services, certain satellite services, virtual private networks, and mobile
satellite services. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
HUNGARY
In a February revision, indicated that the reservation
of land mobile services to 3 existing suppliers will end by 2004. Commits
to competition in domestic long distance and international public voice
telephone as of 2003 and in local voice service as of 2004; 25% Hungarian
equity required for local and domestic voice services and facilities-based
international service; but not for international resale of voice. Services
such as paging, data transmission, and leased circuit services fully
liberalized without phase-in. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
ICELAND
Liberalization of essentially all basic telecom
services (facilities-based and resale). This includes, for example, data
transmission, voice telephone, satellite communications, cellular mobile
telephony and other mobile services. Commits to the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
INDIA
Improvements included commitments to review in 1999
further opening of national long-distance service and in 2004 of
international services. For fixed networks providing many basic services
in the local markets and for long-distance service within each of a number
of service areas, commits to allow one new operator, in addition to MTNL,
under licenses to be valid for a period of 10 years; the licenses for
these operators will be issued as the need for the additional licenses is
determined by the relevant authorities. Foreign equity participation is
limited to 25%. Improved offer committed to the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List to permit the
Government or the Government-run operator to apply differential measures,
such as accounting rates, in bilateral agreements with other operators or
countries. (See also the related points made in the final Report on the
Group.
INDONESIA
In the final days of the talks, improved the offer by
deleting an economic needs test for new entrants in domestic mobile
cellular telephone services, personal mobile cellular communication
services, and regional and national paging services. Public voice
telephony, circuit switched public data network and teleconferencing
services currently supplied by a number of suppliers with exclusive
rights. Commits to a policy review to determine whether to admit
additional suppliers upon the expiry of the exclusive rights: exclusivity
expires in 2011 for local service; in 2006 for long distance service, and
in 2005 for international service. Offers competition for packed-switched
public data network services, telex, telegraph and internet access
services, subject to use of networks of PT Indosat and PT Satelindo for
international traffic. Offers competition in domestic mobile cellular
telephone services, paging, public payphone services. Foreign equity
limited to 35% for all services except personal communication services
which require joint venture with state-owned company. Commits to the
Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
ISRAEL
In the February revision, committed to three operators
of international voice services, removed limits on the number of operators
for global satellite systems and indicated that regulations on opening
competition in domestic voice services and network infrastructure will be
published when the monopoly rights end in 2002. Will also re-examine
policy on competition in international voice services by 2001. Commits on
competitive market access in cellular telephone and paging, voice over
closed user groups, international private leased circuit services
(excluding voice), and data transmission. Foreign equity limits of 74% on
all service providers except for wireless service providers where 80%
allowed. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
JAMAICA
Offers to phase in domestic facilities based and
international voice telephony and other basic telecommunication services
by 2013. Undertakes additional commitment to submit an improved commitment
on voice over closed user groups and voice over internet currently
reserved to exclusive supply until 2013 subject to the outcome of a policy
review. Terrestrial cellular mobile telephone and domestic satellite based
mobile telephone services to be provided by an exclusive operator under a
five to ten year licence. Offers international satellite based mobile
telephone and fixed satellite services through commercial arrangements
with the exclusive operator until 2013. Commits to full competition in
data transmission, digital mobile data services, personal communication
services, paging, teleconferencing, internet and internet access
(excluding voice), trunked radio systems, video transport (excluding tele-conferencing)
as well as several value-added services. Also, commits to allow supply of
international voice, data and video transmission services to firms
involved in information processing located within freezones. Commits to
the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
JAPAN
Latest improvement included the deletion of the
reservation concerning international simple resale of voice services. In
April 1996, agreed to remove long-standing foreign equity limits on Type I
carriers and radio-based services, leaving only two companies, KDD and
NTT, with foreign equity limits (at 20%). Aside from these
company-specific restrictions, open market access is committed in all
market segments for basic telecommunications services (facilities-based
and resale). Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
KOREA
In February revision, increased foreign equity
participation limit on facilities based suppliers from 33% to 49% from
2001. Also increased foreign equity limit in the national supplier (KT)
from 20% to 33% from 2001. Permits competition in wire-based telephone
services never before opened to full competition. Full competition
permitted in supply by resale of all telecom services except voice without
phase in. Permits market access for domestic voice resale as of 1999 when
it will allow foreign equity participation up to 49%; rises raised to 100%
as of 2001. In the latest revision phases in international simple voice
resale by 2001. Improved offer also committed on the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
MALAYSIA
Offers the opportunity to acquire foreign equity in
existing facilities-based public telecommunications operators. Services
supplied by the existing operators include voice telephony (wire or
wireless), data transmission, private leased circuit services, domestic
and international satellite services and satellite links/capacity,
satellite earth stations, terrestrial- and satellite-based mobile services
and video transport services. Foreign shareholding of up to 30% is
permitted in these operators. Listed some regulatory principles as
additional commitments.
MAURITIUS
The improved offer of February 1997 commits on
competition in mobile satellite-based services. Existing de facto monopoly
and exclusive rights in all basic telecom services to be eliminated by
2004. Commits on competition in paging and private mobile radio services.
Commits to introduce regulatory principles in the future.
MEXICO
Improvements included raising the foreign equity
limitation to 49% for all telecommunications service suppliers (from the
40% listed in an earlier revision) and ending the exclusivity of regional
duopolies in cellular telephony. Commits to competition in all market
segments of public telecommunications services on a facilities and a
resale basis: voice telephone service, data transmission, private leased
circuit services, paging and certain cellular telephone services. For
cellular telephony, allows more than 49% foreign investment subject to
prior authorization. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
MOROCCO
Offers phased-in supply of voice telephone services
over fixed infrastructure by December 2001. Foreign equity participation
may be limited (level unspecified). Opens market access for packet
switched data transmission and frame relay services. Supply of mobile
telephone and mobile data services, personal communication services and
paging reserved for an unspecified number of operators yet to be licensed
(one mobile telephone operator licensed so far). Includes some regulatory
principles.
NEW ZEALAND
Commits to open markets for all basic telecommunication
services for all market segments (local, long-distance and international).
A national treatment limitation indicates that no single foreign entity is
permitted to hold more than 49.9% of Telecom New Zealand; this does not
limit the overall foreign shareholding in that operator. Commits to the
Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
NORWAY
Complete liberalization of all basic telecom services.
This includes, for example, data transmission, voice telephone, paging and
other mobile services, and satellite communications (including voice) in
all market segments. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
PAKISTAN
Improved offer moves forward the phase in of certain
commitments by one year. Will now end exclusivity on cross-border supply
of voice telephony as of January 2004, with no commitment on commercial
presence. Also commits on full competition in private leased circuit
services (transmission capacity) as of January 2004. Allows competition in
satellite based services, including voice telephone and value-added
services subject only to restrictions on cross-border supply to preserve
monopoly rights on basic and international networks and services until
their expiry. Commits to open markets for data transmission, e-mail,
internet and intranet, domestic VSAT, trunked radio services,
videoconferencing, telemedicine and tele-education. Commits to the
Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List to permit the
Government or the Government-run operator to apply differential measures,
such as accounting rates, in bilateral agreements with other operators or
countries. (See also the related points made in the final Report on the
Group.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
All telecommunications services are reserved until 2002
for an exclusive service provider. Offers to review and announce the
issuance of additional operating licenses by the year 2000. Commits on the
Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
PERU
Voice telephone services (domestic, long distance &
international) to be liberalized in 1999. Other basic services would be
liberalized in 1999 for long-distance and international market segments
and are liberalized without phase-in for supply in the local market. Where
scarce resources such as frequency availability are involved, licenses
will be issued through public tender. In its improved offer, committed on
the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
PHILIPPINES
In the February revision cellular mobile telephone
services was included. Offers competition through commercial presence in
the following services on a facilities basis for public use by means of
all types of technologies except cable television and satellite: voice
telephone, data transmission services, and cellular mobile telephone
services in all market segments (local, long distance and international).
Market access for the new entrants to be determined by meeting the
criteria of a public convenience and necessity test. Foreign equity
limited to 40%. Includes some regulatory principles.
POLAND
The revised offer of January added commitments to
liberalize international public voice and facilities, telex and telegraph
in 2003. Long distance public voice service and facilities also to be
liberalized by 2003. Liberalization of domestic telex and telegraph
permitted by 2000. Market access with no phase-in for local public voice
and facilities (in geographic areas assigned by license), voice over
closed user groups in all market segments, and data transmission. Commits
to allow cellular mobile telephone services and networks subject to use,
until 2003, of international monopoly network facilities. Commits to
permit mobile satellite services and networks in 2003. Foreign equity
limited to 49% for all international and domestic long distance services
and networks, and public cellular telephone services. Commits to the
Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
ROMANIA
Liberalization of public voice telephone services
(local, long distance and international) and leased circuit services in
2003. With no phase-in, offers competition in data transmission, telex,
telegraph, facsimile and paging services, and in the supply of both VSAT
services and voice telephone offered to closed user groups. Commits to
bind the two existing licenses for digital cellular mobile telephony.
Analogue cellular mobile telephony is liberalised as of 2002. Commits to
the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
SENEGAL
Offers to review policy with respect to licensing
additional operators when existing monopoly rights expire between 2003 and
2006 in voice telephony, data transmission, private leased circuit
services and fixed satellite services. The number of operators is limited
to three in the following services: paging and trunked radio systems. Up
to two cellular mobile operators (including mobile data) will be licensed
during 1997. Authorities will establish in 1997 the maximum number of
licenses for mobile satellite services. Commits to the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
SINGAPORE
In an improved offer committed to phase-in of
competition in facilities-based telecommunication services in April 2000
when up to two additional operators will be licensed; indicates that
additional licenses will be granted thereafter. Offers open markets for
mobile data, cellular telephony and trunked radio services and for paging
services as of April 2000. Commits to the provision of domestic and
international resale of public-switched capacity (not including the
connection of leased lines to public network) for most basic services,
including voice, data and ISDN. Foreign equity limited to 49% for
facilities based supply. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
SLOVAK REP
Offers competition in public voice services and network
infrastructure as of 2003. Offers competition, not subject to phase-in,
for voice telephony within closed user groups and data transmission.
Competition in private leased circuits services permitted without phase in
with no connection to the public network; permitted with connection to
public network in 2003. Commits to competition all mobile and personal
communication services (excluding analog cellular voice services), except
that mobile supply of international voice not permitted until 2003.
Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
SOUTH AFRICA
Commitment to end monopoly supply and introduce a
second supplier by the end of 2003 in public-switched, facilities-based
services including voice, data transmission, telex, facsimile, private
leased circuits and satellite-based services. Commits to review the
feasibility of allowing additional suppliers of public switched services
by the end of 2003. Also commits to duopoly supply of mobile cellular
telephony. No limitations on the number of suppliers of paging, personal
radio communication and trunked radio systems. Foreign investment in
telecom suppliers is limited to 30%. Offers to liberalize resale services
sometime between 2000 and 2003. Commits to the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
SRI LANKA
Offers duopoly in international basic voice services as
from 2000, subject to satisfactory progress by the monopoly on tariff
rebalancing. Foreign equity participation of up to 35% permitted for a
strategic partner in the government owned operator SLT. For local and
domestic long distance mobile cellular services, four operators licensed;
will review the number of licences permitted in 2000. Commits to two
licenses (in addition to SLT) for supply by wireless local loop of basic
voice telephony, data transmission, payphones, voice mail and facsimile;
the two licensees are guaranteed exclusivity for five years.Commits to
five licenses for public payphones services and for paging services
licenses with possible additional suppliers of each to permitted subject
to economic needs tests. Commits to six operators of data communication
services. For GMPCS services supplied through own gateways, indicates that
issuance of licenses is under consideration. For all suppliers other than
SLT, foreign equity permitted up to 40% with investments over 40% subject
to case-by-case approval. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory
principles.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List to permit the
Government or the Government-run operator to apply differential measures,
such as accounting rates, in bilateral agreements with other operators or
countries. (See also the related points made in the final Report on the
Group.
SURINAME
Commits on duopoly provision of public voice telephone
services, fixed network infrastructure and fixed satellite services and to
maintain existing licenses for mobile telephone and PCS while also
committing to determine, by 2003, the circumstances for the licensing
additional operators of these services. Liberalizes non-public voice
services and public and non-public data transmission, internet services
(excluding voice) and teleconferencing subject to use of duopoly
facilities. Fully liberalizes provision to the public of mobile data,
paging, and trunked radio systems. Commits to the Reference Paper on
regulatory principles.
SWITZERLAND
Improved schedule reflecting the new telecom law
commits on complete liberalization of basic telecom services
(facilities-based and resale, public and non-public) for all market
segments (local, long distance and international) and by any type of
technology. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
THAILAND
In its revised offer of February 1997 undertook to
introduce revised commitments in public local, long distance and
international voice telecommunications services in 2006, conditional upon
the passage of and consistent with the provisions in proposed new
communications acts. Also commits on some regulatory principles
conditional upon the passage and entry into force of new
telecommunications acts. Commits to introduce regulatory principles in the
future.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Offers competition in voice telephone, data
transmission, telex, telegraph and private leased circuit services for
public use as from 2010. Commits on mobile satellite based services for
public use including mobile telephone services, mobile data, fixed
satellite services and personal communication services as well as several
value added services. Other mobile services, internet and internet access
and teleconferencing for private use are unconfirmed offers to be
negotiated. Commits to the Reference Paper on regulatory principles.
TUNISIA
Offers competition telex and packed switched data
transmission from 1999; in mobile telephone, frame relay, paging and
teleconferencing from 2000; and in local telephone services from 2003. For
all services, foreign equity limited to 49%. From 2002, foreign
participation in the capital of Tunisie Telecom will be allowed up to 10%.
TURKEY
In its revised offer undertook a commitment to end the
monopoly's exclusive rights on voice telephony and other basic telecom
services by 2006 and opened to competition cellular mobile services and
paging. Commits market access for data transmission services without phase
in. Includes some regulatory principles.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List with two entries:
one relating to two neighbouring countries with respect to fees for
transit land connections and the usage of satellite ground stations; and
the other to permit the Government or the Government-run operator to apply
differential measures, such as accounting rates, in bilateral agreements
with other operators or countries. (See also the related points made in
the final Report on the Group.
UNITED STATES
Commits to open markets for essentially all basic
telecom services (facilities-based and resale) for all market segments
(local, long distance and international), including unrestricted access to
a common carrier radio licenses for operators that are indirectly foreign
owned. Offer also covers, for example, satellite-based services, cellular
telephony and other mobile services. Limitations on market access include
no issuance of radio licenses to operators with more than 20% direct
foreign ownership and Comsat retains exclusive rights to links with
Intelsat and Inmarsat satellite capacity. Commits to the Reference Paper
on regulatory principles.
Submitted an M.f.n. Exemption List on
telecommunications services involving the one-way satellite transmission
of DTH and DBS television services and digital audio services.
VENEZUELA
Commits to open markets for facilities based voice
telephone services in all market segments (local, long distance and
international) as of November 2000. Offers full competition in facilities
based telecommunication services such as mobile telephony, data
transmission, teleconferencing and paging without phase-in. The improved
offer included some additional commitments on regulatory principles.
Subsector by subsector commitments:
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- Voice telephone service: 49 schedules (covering 63
governments) commit to competitive supply (defined here as permitting two
or more suppliers). This compares favourably with April 1996 results when
44 governments included voice services. These commitments permit
competition the supply of public voice services, either immediate or
phased-in, in at least one market segment, except for one, which commits
to voice only over closed user groups in all market segments.
domestic long distance, and 45 (59 governments) offered
international service.
Resale of public voice telephone is included in the
commitments in 30 schedules (44 governments) or more than 70% of the 62
governments permitting or planning to introduce a degree of competition in
public voice service.
- Other services:
-
Data transmission: 51 schedules (65 governments)
include commitments of data transmission services;
-
Cellular/mobile telephone: 48 (62 governments) grant
access for cellular/mobile telephone markets;
-
Leased circuit services: 42 (56 governments) commit
to competition in leased circuit services (the supply of transmission
capacity);
-
Other types of mobile services: 48 (62 governments)
include commitments on other types of mobile services (such as PCS, mobile
data or paging).
-
Satellite-related communications: 39 schedules (53
governments) committed on some or all types of mobile satellite services
or transport capacity and 38 (52 governments) commit on fixed satellite
services or transport capacity.
- Value-added telecommunication services: 10
governments scheduled some commitments on value-added telecommunications
services (e.g. e-mail, on-line data processing or data base retrieval).
Exemptions:
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Nine governments submitted m.f.n. exemption lists to be
annexed to the Protocol.
While m.f.n. exemptions can sometimes be required by
legal technicalities, a decision to file one can also depend on whether a
participant is satisfied with the quality of commitments made. Without an
m.f.n. exemption, a Member must treat the services or service suppliers of
every other Member as favourably as those of any other country, Member or
not. But even if it files an exemption, a Member may only apply it to
unscheduled services or to grant special preferences over and above the
market access restrictions indicated in its schedule.
- The United States: the exemption relates to
one-way satellite transmission of DTH and DBS television services and
digital audio services. That of
- Brazil: the exemption relates to the
distribution of radio or television programming directly to consumers.
- Argentina: the exemption applies to the supply
of fixed satellite services by geostationary satellites. One by
- Turkey: the exemption relates to two
neighbouring countries, with respect to fees for transit land connections
and the usage of satellite ground stations.
- Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, and Turkey: listed exemptions to permit the Government
or the Government-run operator to apply differential measures, such as
accounting rates, in bilateral agreements with other operators or
countries -- an issue also addressed in the final Report on the Group. An
exemption by
- Antigua and Barbuda: their exemption enables
the Government to extend to nationals of other Caricom-Member countries
treatment equal to its own nationals.
Phasing-in
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The formal entry into force of the commitments took
place on 5 February 1998. But where a participant's commitments for
particular services are to be phased in, the actual implementation would
take place on the date specified in the schedule. About 40%, or 26 of the
62 governments committing on public voice telephone services, subject
these commitments to phase in. In the highlights, phase-in-dates, where
they exist, are usually mentioned along with the services affected.
Regulatory disciplines
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Sixty five of the 72 governments who have submitted
schedules on basic telecommunications included commitments on regulatory
disciplines. Of these, 59 committed to the Reference Paper in whole or
with few modifications. These commitments relate to such matters as
competition safeguards, interconnection guarantees, licensing and the
independence of regulators. In April 1996, 44 governments had included
regulatory commitments in their offers and only 31 had inscribed the
Reference Paper.
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