Interconnection

Drafting and Review of Reference Interconnection Offers

Even once a regulatory authority has mandated interconnection, it still has to ensure that its rules are applied fairly. In Europe, and in an increasing number of other jurisdictions worldwide, incumbent operators and/or those with Significant Market Power are required to produce a Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO), the contents and arrangement of which must be approved by the regulator.

This specimen offer provides a common and transparent basis for all agreements for the provision of interconnection services subject to regulation. It also helps to ensure that new entrant operators can be confident of gaining terms which will be no less favourable than those applied to other firms (including the interconnection provider’s own retail operation).

InterConnect Communications’ legal and technical experts can advise network operators in all aspects of drafting a RIO to meet the most stringent regulatory demands, e.g.:

Description of services to be provided;
Definition of interconnection charges and their evolution over time;
Terms of payment, including billing procedures;
Locations of the points of interconnection;
Technical standards for interconnection, testing procedures and requirements;
Dispute resolution procedures;
Equal access;
Network and traffic management;
Maintenance and quality of service.

We can provide expert support in justifying proposed interconnection conditions and assist operator representations to the regulator when seeking approval for a draft RIO. We can also review existing RIOs for compliance with existing regulatory requirements, suggest suitable amendments if and where required, and assist in the practical negotiation of interconnection agreements.

Past assignments include:

Developing a RIO to assist a leading Gulf States incumbent meet regulatory requirements and prepare for sector liberalisation;
Developing in accordance with regulatory guidelines one of the first mobile RIOs for a operator in Southern Asia;
Reviewing a dominant operator’s RIO and advising the regulator to what extent it promoted a pro-competitive interconnection regime;
Developing operational processes and working instructions for the successful negotiation and implementation of fixed and mobile interconnection agreements in a Gulf States country. These described activities including service definition, ordering of services, delivery of services, fault reporting and repair, maintenance, billing and payment collection.

Key Service Areas:

Interconnection

16 Jul 2008InterConnect News

Interconnection Master Class

The next Interconnection Master Class of 2008 will take place on 17 - 21 November 2008.

More Information?

For more information about InterConnect's Interconnection services, please contact Eric Tyson by phone on +44 (0) 1291 638400.