Part I Standards of Performance and Service to Customers

Telecommunications

10 Interpretation

The following section shall be inserted in the [1984 c. 12.] Telecommunications Act 1984, after section 27K—

“27L Definitions for sections 27A to 27K

(1) For the purposes of sections 27A to 27K above—

• “designated operator” means any public telecommunications operator designated for the purposes of those sections by order made by the Secretary of State; and

• “relevant services” means—

  (a)

  any voice telephony service, telephone rental service, directory service, directory information service or facsimile transmission service provided for occupiers of residential or single line premises; and

  (b)

  any public call box service.

(2) The Secretary of State shall not exercise his power under subsection (1) above to designate a telecommunications operator unless he is satisfied that the operator provides at least 25 per cent. of the voice telephony services supplied within the area in relation to which he is a public telecommunications operator.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

• “public call box service” means a service which is provided by a designated operator and which consists of the provision of telecommunication apparatus which—

  (a)

  is owned and operated by the designated operator;

  (b)

  gives access to a voice telephony service; and

  (c)

  is intended for use by members of the public generally;

• “directory service” means a service which consists of the preparation and provision of a list (which may be made available in separate parts and through different media) of customers of a designated operator which is not arranged by reference to a description of the trades, professions or businesses carried on by those customers;

• “directory information service” has the same meaning as in section 4(3) above;

• “facsimile transmission service” means a telecommunication service for the transmission of electronic signals by a designated operator, over exchange lines provided by him, for the purposes of making a facsimile of a document;

• “hard wired telephone” means a telephone of a kind which can only be connected to a public telecommunication system by means other than—

  (a)

  the insertion of a plug into a socket; or

  (b)

  wireless telegraphy;

• “single line premises” means premises which are not residential premises but which are served by a single exchange line provided by the designated operator;

• “telephone rental service” means a service consisting in the hiring out of any hard wired telephone which is capable of emitting or receiving signals which have been, or are to be, conveyed by means of a public telecommunication system run by a designated operator;

• “voice telephony service” means a telecommunication service for the conveyance of speech over exchange lines provided by the designated operator.”