Pre-selection of Operator - Fixed Telephone Service

In accordance with the schedule on occasion defined for the total liberalization of telecommunications, pre-selection must be introduced by providers with direct access from July 1, 2000, onwards, accordant with the ICP determination of July 21, 1999.

With a view to implementing that function as progressively as possible, from the user's perspective, pre-selection specification was approved by deliberation on 12/05/2000. Its principles are applied to all fixed telephone service providers with direct access. At the same time the date of 1/7/2000 for the introduction of the pre-selection introduction was confirmed .

It was also approved by ICP, on the same date, the rules for the introduction of the pre-selection, prepared to be applied to all the direct access providers. These rules will be implemented according the following schedule:

a. The interim pre-selection, with recourse to autodiallers, between July 1, 2000 and the staggered introduction of the definitive pre-selection;

b. The date of October 1, 2000, for the introduction of the definitive version of pre-selection in the geographic areas covered by the Lisbon and Oporto numbering;

c. The date of November 15, 2000, for the introduction of the definitive version of pre-selection throughout the entire country;

d. The application of interim pre-selection to the ELD exchanges of the Portugal Telecom network until such time as they are actually replaced;

e. Under the interim pre-selection regime, the direct access providers will contribute 50% towards the cost of the autodialleres, supplied and installed by the pre-selected providers.

The ICP also decided on the same date to recommend to APRITEL in particular, the conclusion by the end of July 2000, of the procedures directed at the preparation of the code of conduct in respect of this matters.