RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE S/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
25April 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-1665)
Original: French Negotiating Group onBasic Telecommunications
COMMUNICATION FROM CÔTED'IVOIRE
Draft Offer onBasic Telecommunications
Theattached communication iscirculated attherequest ofCôte d'Ivoire tomembers ofthe
Negotiating Group onBasic Telecommunications.
_______________
This offer isconditional. Côte d'Ivoire reserves theright tomodify, extend orreduce this
offer atanytime before theconclusion ofthenegotiations onbasic telecommunications depending,
inparticular, on: thenumber ofoffers submitted byother parties, theextent towhich those offers
areequivalent andmutually acceptable, andthescope andscale oftheexemptions toMFN treatment
obligations requested byother parties.COTE D'IVOIRE -DRAFT OFFERS/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
Page 2
Modes ofsupply: (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
2.COMMUNICATION
SERVICES
C. Telecommunications services
Local/long-distance/
international basic services
supplied inpublic
telecommunications transport
networks using anynetwork
technology (forexample, wire-
based, radio-based, television
cables), facilities andresale, in
each ofthefollowing market
segments:
(a) Telephone services
(b) Packet-switched data
transmission services,
including frame repetition
services
(c) Circuit-switched data
transmission services
(d) Telex services
(e) Telegraph services(1) None
(2) None
(3) 10-year monopoly fortelephone
services (a)between fixed points and
telex (d).
Subject tofrequency availability.
Free competition forother services.
(4) None(1) None
(2) None
(3) None
(4) NoneRegulatory disciplines to
promote competition (see
Annex I).Modes ofsupply: (1) Cross-border supply (2) Consumption abroad (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
(f) Facsimile services
(g) Private leased circuit services
(o) Other
- Domestic/international satellite
services andsatellite
links/capacity
- Satellite ground stations
- International switching and
other international gateway
facilities
- Mobile services
- Analogue/digital cellular
services
- PCS services (personal
communication services)
- Paging services
- Mobile data services
- Video transmission servicesS/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
Page 3S/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
Page 4
ANNEX 1
TOCOTE D'IVOIRE 'SDRAFT OFFER ONBASIC
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Regulatory commitments topromote competition
Fair andeconomic interconnection
Côted'Ivoireundertakesthefollowingcommitmentsconcerningfairandeconomicinterconnection
oftelecommunications services onitsterritory andinternationally.
1. Adominantlocalexchangeoperatorwillprovideinterconnectiontoitspublictelecommunications
transport network forthesupply oftelecommunications services onCôte d'Ivoire territory and
internationally:
(a) Atrates which appear inthepublished tariffs and arenon-discriminatory and
cost-oriented, under conditions andinaccordance with procedures which arepublicly
available, non-discriminatory andreasonable;
(b) atanynetwork interconnection point, subject tosharing ofthecosts fortheconstruction
ofthenecessary additional facilities; and
(c) insuch away thatservice suppliers purchase only those facilities orservices which
they genuinely need tosupply abasic telecommunications service.
2. Theregulatory body willmake public alltheinformation concerning costs which adominant
local exchange operator furnishes insupport ofhisinterconnection charges.
3. Adominant local exchange operator willprovide forthepossibility ofhaving theequipment
ofacompetitor (oritsfunctional equivalent) inhisfacilities toenable thelatter tosupply aprogrammed
service.
4. Adominantinternationalbasictelecommunicationsservicesoperatorwillnotcreateunreasonable
obstacles totheentry ofother suppliers ofinternational basic telecommunications services.
5. Adominant local exchange operator willensure equal access, including numbering parity, to
public telecommunications transport networks forthesupply ofbasic telecommunications services,
onCôte d'Ivoire territory andinternationally.
6. Theinternational accounting rates forforeign correspondents willbemade public. Adominant
operator willhave tojustify anyinternational accounting ratethatdiffers significantly from domestic
interconnection charges.
7. Adominant local exchange operator willensure theinterconnection ofmobile cellular radio
communications service suppliers tohispublic telecommunications transport network onterms and
conditions thatarereasonable andnon-discriminatory.
8. Any obligation toprovide auniversal service willbeadministered inatransparent manner
from thestandpoint ofcompetition.S/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
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Competitive safeguards
Côte d'Ivoire undertakes thefollowing commitments inorder toprevent adominant operator
from abusing itsmarket position bycarrying outanti-competitive activities inconnection withthesupply
oftelecommunications services, onCôte d'Ivoire territory andinternationally.
1. Adominant operator will notbeauthorized tocross-subsidize itsunregulated services by
transferring thecostofthelatter toservices with respect towhich ithasadominant position ofmarket
power.
2. Adominant local exchange operator willsupply acostprice breakdown toprevent unregulated
service costs being charged toregulated services.
3. Adominant local exchange operator will make available toallsuppliers ofbasic
telecommunications services, onanon-discriminatory basis andinconformity with theregulations
concerning theprotection ofuser privacy, information concerning thenetwork which is:
(a) Necessary tofacilitate interconnection toitsnetwork; or
(b) otherwise necessary tofacilitate thesupply ofcompetitive telecommunications services.
Information concerning modifications tothepublic telecommunications network willbemade
public reasonably inadvance ofthetime atwhich themodifications areputintoeffect.
4. Alltheinterestedpublic,includingnon-dominantsuppliersofbasictelecommunicationsservices,
willbegivenafairandreasonableopportunitytoparticipateinthedevelopmentofthetechnicalstandards
governing public telecommunications transport networks andservices.
Côte d'Ivoire willgrant allinterested parties timely andreasonable access toalltheinformation
supporting regulatory decisions, subject tonormal limitations fortheprotection ofconfidentiality.
Effective independence oftheregulatory body
Côte d'Ivoire:
1. Will maintain aregulatory body notaccountable toanypublic network operator.
2. Will provide foranindependent regulatory body tobeempowered tosettle disputes involving
basic telecommunications service suppliers andtoimpose severe penalties incases ofbreach ofthe
relevant legislation, regulations andauthorizations.
3. Willprovideforanindependentregulatorybodytobeempoweredtoexaminetheinterconnection
arrangements inpublished tariffs, soastoensure thatthecharges, terms andconditions arereasonable
andnon-discriminatory.
4. Will provide foranindependent regulatory body tobeempowered toadopt andhave applied
theinterconnection andcompetitive safeguards described above.S/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
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ANNEX 2
OFFER TOOPEN UPTHE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES MARKET
SUBMITTED BYCOTE D'IVOIRE
I. Commitments onmarket access andnational treatment
I.1 Licensing
InCôte d'Ivoire, anew legal framework provides forthree different regimes, depending on
thenature oftheactivity.
I.1.2 Exclusivity orconcession regime
Thefollowing willbesubject tothisregime:
- Theinstallation ofnetwork infrastructure open tothepublic, except forradio networks,
i.e.thebuilding andoperation offixed-line telecommunications networks;
- thesupply oftelephone services open tothepublic between fixed points (basic telephone
services);
- thesupply oftelex services.
Inorder tocarry outactivities inthese areas, theenterprises concerned willhave toconclude aconcession
agreement with theState.
I.1.3 Regulated competition orauthorization regime
Thefollowing willbesubject tothisregime:
- Thebuilding andoperation ofradio networks andthesupply ofradio services;
- thesupply ofsupport services.
Enterprises wishing tooperate inthese areas must have authorizations issued bytheGovernment,
represented bytheCôte d'Ivoire Telecommunications Office.
I.1.4 Free competition regime
Thefollowing willbesubject tothisregime:
- Terminal equipment, networks andservices ofthefreecompetition regime which must
beconnected tothepublic network. They willbesubject toadeclaration ortype
approval procedure.
I.2 Commitments onrestrictions onforeign participation
Thetelecommunications operators willallbeprivate-sector orhave minority State participation,
inthecase ofthemain operator who manages thebasic services.S/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
Page 7
These operators willbeable tooperate allcompetitive networks andservices, inparticular,
thecellular networks.
Atpresent, Côte d'Ivoire places norestrictions onforeign participation intheestablishment
andmanagement ofnetworks, subject toreciprocity.
Moreover, theState hasauthorized three operators with domestic andforeign private capital
toprovide cellular telephone services inCôte d'Ivoire, namely:
- COMSTAR CELLULAR SACOTE D'IVOIRE;
- LOTENY TELECOM;
- SOCIETE IVOIRIENNE DEMOBILE.
I.3 Commitments onfrequency utilization
Theradio spectrum ismanaged andcontrolled bytheCôte d'Ivoire Telecommunications Office
(ATCI).
Theuseofaradio channel byaradio station isauthorized bytheATCI inaccordance with
conditions defined inthelegislation andregulations inforce.
I.4 Commitments onlicensing qualifications, standards orrequirements
Atpresent, there arenopre-established standards orrequirements concerning thequalifications
ofthelicence applicant.
However, inthecaseofnetworks orservices which areregulated orsubject toauthorization,
itisdesirable thattheoperator should have experience inthefield forwhich alicence hasbeen requested
andthathebesubject tocertain formal specifications.
II. Additional commitments onregulatory conditions
II.1 Regulatory structures andprocesses
Thenew institutional framework involves theGovernment andtheregulatory bodies.
II.1.1 TheGovernment
TheGovernment:
- Determines policies, anddrafts andproposes legislation which itconsiders bestsuited
totelecommunications requirements;
- represents Côte d'Ivoire 'sinterests innational andinternational bodies andinstitutions;
- establishes thestandards andtechnical specifications applicable inCôte d'Ivoire, in
agreementwiththenationalandinternationalbodiesresponsiblefortelecommunications;
- provides fortheindependent performance ofthefunctions ofregulation andcontrol
ofactivities pertaining tothetelecommunications sector, ontheonehand, andtheS/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
Page 8
functions oftelecommunications network operation andtelecommunications service
supply, ontheother.
II.1.2 Theregulatory bodies
(a) TheTelecommunications Council ofCôte d'Ivoire
TheTelecommunications Council ofCôte d'Ivoire (CTCI) isanIndependent High
AdministrativeAuthoritycomposedofsevenmembers,includingaChairman,appointed
bydecree forarenewable term offiveyears.
Thetasks oftheCouncil are:
- Tomonitor observance oftheprovisions ofconcession agreements,
specifications andauthorizations issued bytheGovernment;
- toarrange, before anyrecourse ishadtoarbitration orlegal remedies, forthe
negotiation andsettlement ofdisputes arising between theGovernment and
telecommunications sector operators inconnection with theGovernment 's
exercise ofitspowers.
(b) TheCôte d'Ivoire Telecommunications Office (ATCI)
ThetaskoftheCôte d'Ivoire Telecommunications Office istoexercise thepowers,
rights andobligations vested intheGovernment bytheTelecommunications Code.
The Office isaspecial-category national public establishment under thetechnical
supervision oftheMinister responsible fortelecommunications andunder theeconomic
andfinancial supervision oftheMinister responsible fortheeconomy andfinance.
TheOffice isresponsible, inparticular, for:
- Ensuring thatthetelecommunications regulations areapplied;
- establishing theprinciples andauthorizing thetariffs forservices supplied under
themonopoly regime;
- approving terminal equipment;
- administering andcontrolling theuseoftheradio spectrum;
- helping tocarry outanyother mission ofpublic interest which might be
entrusted toitbythe Government onbehalf ofthe State inthe
telecommunications sector.
II.2 Licence granting procedures
There areasyetnopre-established procedures forgranting licences. Theapplications received
bytheTelecommunications Office aredealt with onacase-by-case basis.
Theintroduction oflicence granting procedures foreach type ofnetwork open tocompetition
isbeing studied.S/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
Page 9
II.3 Competitive safeguards
TheState 'sexclusive rights aregranted toCITELCOM onthebasis ofanagreement and
specifications.
These documents alsodefine theobligations oftheconcession-holder with respect toother
authorizedoperatorsinconnectionwiththenetworksandservicesopentocompetition.Theseprovisions
make itpossible toprevent anti-competitive practices onthepartoftheconcession-holder.
II.3.1 Theconcession agreement
Thepurpose oftheconcession agreement is:
(a) Torecord theagreement oftheparties ontheconditions ofutilization oftheexclusive
rights granted bytheState andtoestablish theprocedures forimplementing that
agreement anditsscope;
(b) tolaydown thegeneral principles oftheestablishment, operation andmanagement
bytheconcession-holder oftheexclusive networks andservices andthose open to
competition;
(c) toorganize thesupervision, inparticular, economic, financial, administrative and
technical, oftheestablishment, operation andmanagement oftheexclusive networks
andservices bytheconcession-holder.
II.3.2 Theconcession specifications
Thepurpose ofthespecifications istodefine therules andconditions inaccordance with which
theexclusive networks andservices areestablished andoperated bytheconcession-holder inaccordance
with Article 6oftheLaw, during andafter themonopoly period.
Thespecifications alsodefine therules andconditions ofoperation andmanagement bythe
concession-holder ofthetelecommunications networks andservices open tocompetition.
II.4 Interconnection rights andprinciples
The interconnection rights andprinciples aredefined inthevarious specifications ofeach
authorized operator.
II.4.1 Interconnection principle
Theconcession-holder provides each authorized operator, upon request, with interconnection
services inaccordance with therules oftransparency andnon-discrimination. Inparticular, the
concession-holder extends totheother authorized operators thesame treatment asheapplies orwould
apply tohimself orhissubsidiaries insimilar circumstances.
Theinterconnection agreement concluded between theconcession-holder andanauthorized
operator takes theform ofacontract setting outallthetechnical, financial andadministrative conditions
governing thesupply ofinterconnection services. This contract isfreely negotiated between thetwo
parties inaccordance with theprovisions ofthemonopoly holder 'sspecifications andthespecifications
oftherequesting operator. Intheevent ofconflict between theprovisions ofthetwo sets of
specifications, theTelecommunications Office alone isempowered tomake changes inthespecifications.S/NGBT/W/12/Add.31
Page 10
II.4.2 Interconnection application procedure
Requests forinterconnection aresubmitted totheconcession-holder, withacopy forinformation
totheTelecommunications Office. Theconcession-holder hassixcalendar days toexamine therequest
andnegotiate alltheterms andconditions freely andreasonably with theapplicant. Ifbytheendof
thisperiod noagreement hasbeen reached, theTelecommunications Office rules within 60calendar
days ofnotification byoneoftheparties. Theparties then draw upandapprove theinterconnection
contract within 30calendar days inaccordance with theruling given bytheTelecommunications Office
andputitintoeffect immediately.
II.5 Rights associated with thedevelopment ofstandards
Côte d'Ivoire isamember oftheInternational Telecommunication Union. Theinternational
conventions, treaties andagreements concluded byCôte d'Ivoire inthefield oftelecommunications
areenforceable against theconcession-holder whoisobliged toimplement them insofarastheyrelate
totheexclusive rights granted.
AttheexpressrequestoftheGovernment,theconcession-holderprovidesthetechnicalassistance
andinformation necessary toenable Côte d'Ivoire totakeaposition intheinternational organizations
competent inthefield oftelecommunications regulations, orinstandard development orradio-frequency
allocation proceedings, orinthenegotiation ofinternational conventions, treaties oragreements in
thefield oftelecommunications.