Regulation 17 Publication of and access to information—public operators

(1)

In exercising their functions under Part II and sections 47 to 49 of the Act, and these Regulations, the Secretary of State and the Director shall ensure that public operators publish adequate and up-to-date information for consumers on their standard terms and conditions with regard to access to and use of a public telephone system or the provision of publicly available telephone services or both, and tariffs for end-users, any minimum contractual period, if relevant, and conditions of renewal of the contracts are presented clearly and accurately.

(2)

In exercising their functions under Part II and sections 47 to 49 of the Act, the Secretary of State and the Director shall ensure that public operators authorised to run a fixed public telephone system provide to the Director:

(a)

details of technical interface specifications as identified in Schedule II;

(b)

details of changes in existing network interface specifications, including information on new network interface specifications in advance of implementation; and

(c)

details of any particular network characteristics which are found to affect the correct operation of terminal equipment.

(3)

The Director may lay down a suitable period of notice before the changes referred to in paragraph (2)(b) above may be implemented.

(4)

The Director shall:

(a)

ensure that the information to which reference is made in paragraph (2)(a) and (b) above and in regulations 19(4), 21(5), 26(5) and 34(2) is made available in an appropriate manner in order to provide easy access to that information for interested parties;

(b)

publish, or ensure that there is published, a notice in the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes specifying the manner in which the information referred to in paragraph (a) above is made available; and

(c)

make the information referred to in paragraph (2)(c) above available on request to terminal equipment suppliers.