ZAGREB, April 16, 2015 - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) has adopted a decision on launching the public call related to the quality of the universal services provision in electronic communications. Namely, HAKOM is obliged to promote the interests of users of electronic communications services in different ways, inter alia, by ensuring access to the universal services for all users. Universal services represent basic services in electronic communications which must be available to all service end-users at an affordable price on the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia on the basis of the reasonable requirements of the end-user, regardless of their geographic location. The scope of services that are considered as universal services include access to the public communications network and telephone services to the immovable location (voice, data and fax transmission), effective access to the Internet, the directory of all subscribers’ numbers, service for providing subscribers’ numbers information, setting up public phone booths, special pricing systems adjusted to the needs of socially vulnerable groups of users and specific measures for physically challenged persons.
If HAKOM determines that a specific service within the framework of universal services is provided in a prescribed and appropriate manner, it does not have to define an operator for the provision of that part of the universal services, meaning that it may decide to abolish the previously determined universal services operator’s obligation to provide that part of the universal services.
However, in that case it must ensure that there is at least one universal services operator regarding for accessing the public telephone network and publicly available telephone services on the immovable location.
If HAKOM determines that a specific service within the framework of universal services is not provided in the proscribed and appropriate manner, HAKOM may define, under its decision ,one or more operators for the provision of that part of universal services or announce a public tender for the provision of universal services, and accordingly ensure the compliance with the market competition rules, respecting the principles of objectivity, transparency and non-discrimination without the possibility to exclude any of the operators from the option to determine the universal services provision obligation.
In the case the public tender for the provision of universal services is being carried out and there is interest for the provision of the stated services by multiple operators, the universal services operator will be determined on the basis of the most favourable bid by the operators. If no operator responds to the tender for the provision of universal services, HAKOM may pass a decision to select one or more operators for the provision of that part of the universal services particularly taking into account the presence of significant market power of the operator in the relevant market. In the decision on determining the operator of universal services HAKOM specifically sets the services provision as well as detailed description and quality benchmarks for the universal services
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For additional information please contact:
Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM)
Roberta Frangeša Mihanovića 9
10110 Zagreb, Croatia
Tel. + 385 (0) 1 700 70 07
Fax + 385 (0)1 700 70 70
Media inquiries can be submitted online using HAKOM’s official website:
Registration required.
ABOUT HAKOM: HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary competencies in market regulation.
