RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
8March 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-0903)
Original: English Negotiating Group onBasic Telecommunications
COMMUNICATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OFPOLAND
Response toQuestionnaire onBasic Telecommunications
Thefollowing communication iscirculated attherequest oftheRepublic ofPoland toMembers
oftheNegotiating Group onBasic Telecommunications.
_______________S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
Page2
PartI
Definition andMarket Structure
Definition:
1)Q.1What areconsidered tobebasic telecommunications under yourregulatory regime? Howare
they defined? How does your regulatory regime define thatwhich isnotconsidered basic
telecommunications?
A.2Polishregulatoryregimedoesnotdefinetheconceptionofbasictelecommunications.Definitions
related totelecommunications arespecified intheLaw onTelecommunications dated 1990, as
consolidated in1995. Toshowtherelation oftheGATS definition ofbasictelecommunications toPolish
regulatory regime itisnecessary totakeintoaccount thefollowing definitions andterms:
"Telecommunications -thetermdesignates sending, transmission andreceiving ofcharacters,
signals, writing, images andsounds orinformation ofanynature through thewires, wireless
systems, optical systems oranyother devices utilizing electromagnetic energy".
Thetelecommunication activity inPoland isprovided by:
(1) Telekomunikacja Polska S.A.-onthewhole territory ofPoland without thelimitation
ofthescope ofitsactivity
(2) Entities, thatgetthelicense orpermission -asspecified inthelicence orpermission
(including thefollowing data.: subject, scope, area, dateofstarting theactivity and
duration oflicence orpermission).
Thepermissionsaregrantedtoinstallanduseradiocommunicationstransmittersandtransceivers
andtoinstall andusetelecommunications equipment ornetworks.
Thelicences aregranted torender telecommunication services.
Furthermore, theMinister ofCommunications hastheauthority tospecify:
- Telecommunications equipment andnetworks, internal andnon-public dedicated ones,
which installation andusage doesnotneedapermission
- Radiocommunicationsequipment,whichinstallationandusagedoesnotneedpermission
orallocation offrequencies
- Telecommunications services, thatdonotneedalicense tobesupplied tosubscribers.
2)Q. Does yourregulatory regime distinguish between networks (facilities) andservices indefining
basic telecommunications? Ifso,howisthisdistinction made?
A. Please seepoint 1.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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3)Q.Arethereanynetworksorserviceswhichwouldbeconsideredtobethebasictelecommunications
within thescope oftheGATS definition which would notbesoconsidered byyournational definition?
Ifso,whatarethey?
A. Please seepoint 1.
Market Structure
4)Q. Listanybasic telecommunications sub-sectors orcategories which arereserved tosupply by
monopoly orexclusive supplier(s).
A. Only international telephone andtelegraph services arereserved fortheservices of
Telekomunikacja Polska S.A.(TPSA)thatisthenational operator. Moreover, fortheperiod till2000,
Polish Government hassuspended granting licences andpermissions tosupply telephone services in
relation tolongdistance telecommunications. Itisnotprovided forgranting ofpermissions andlicences
inrelation totelegraphy.
5)Q. Does yourregime destine oneoralimited number ofmonopoly/exclusive suppliers tosupply
anybasic telecommunications nationally, onageographical basis, orforparticular market segments?
Howisit(orthey)constituted(e.g.governmentministryoragency,whollygovernment-ownedcorporate
entity, company partly owned bythegovernment, privately owned)?
A. Besides thesituation mentioned inanswer 4)andtheexclusive rightofCENTERTEL firm
tosupply services bymeans ofanalogous, cellular system NMT-450, ourregime doesnotdestine
monopoly/exclusive suppliers.
6)Q. Isforeign equity participation orownership ofmonopoly orexclusive suppliers permitted?
Ifso,whatisthemaximum percentage share allowed andwhatisthecurrent levelofidentifiable foreign
participation?
A. Telekomunikacja Polska S.A.(TPSA)isajoint-stock company, 100% ofitsshares belongs
totheTreasury. Theprivatization ofthecompany isenvisaged, butonthecurrent stage there areno
settlementsconcerningneitherthemaximumpercentageshareallowednorthecurrentlevelofidentifiable
foreign participation.
7)Q. Ifyourregime isgenerally characterized bynotpermitting competition, please indicate:
(a)ifcertain activities orcategories ofwhat could beconsidered basic telecommunications
arenotreserved tothemonopoly, e.g.facsimile, telex, datatransmission, mobile, satellite
services;
(b)arethere anyother means through which foreign suppliers ofbasic telecommunications
areormayparticipate inthesupply ofbasic telecommunications, e.g.sub-contract or
build-operate-transfer arrangements withthemonopoly suppliers.
A. Does notapply.
8)Q. Please listandbriefly describe anyintergovernmental agreements, bilateral orotherwise that
yourgovernment hasentered intorelating tothesupply ofbasic telecommunications networks and
services.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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A. ITU
B. CEPT
C. INMARSAT
D. EUTELSAT
E. INTELSAT
F. INTERSPUTNIK
G. MoU GSM
PartII
Competition
Forthesub-sectors andcategory headings insections AandB,thefivequestions listed below
should beaddressed foreachsub-sector andcategory thatyoudescribe. Recognizing thatsub-sectors
andcategories mayoverlap, please keepinmind thatitistheintroduction ofcompetition andtheway
ithasbeenintroduced thatshould determine howtoselect which sub-sectors andcategories covered
inyourresponses.
(i) Overview. What arethemain government policies andregulations regarding the
competitioninthissub-sectororcategory?Canforeignsuppliersparticipateinthesupply
ofbasic telecommunications inthissub-sector orcategory?
(ii) Modes ofsupply. Inyourview, howdotheGATS modes ofsupply (cross border,
consumption abroad, commercial presence, andpresence ofnatural persons) apply
tothissub-sector orcategory? What kinds ofrequirements, conditions, orlimitations
areapplied inthissub-sector orcategory which relate toeachmode ofsupply?
Note: Responses onmodes ofsupply should notnecessarily belimited tomeasures which might relate
tomarket access ornational treatment asdefined bytheGATS. Information provided mayhelpadvance
discussions onhowthemodes ofsupply, particularly cross border andconsumption abroad, relate
tobasic telecommunications.
(iii) Market access. What kindoflimitations onmarket access areapplied? (i.e.,Arethere
anyquantitative limitations on,oreconomic needs testsapplied to,thenumber of
suppliers? Arethere anylimits onthetotalvalue oftransactions, totalnumber of
operations, quantity ofoutput, orthetotalnumber ofpersons thatmaysupply basic
telecommunications orbeemployed byasupplier? Arethere anyrestrictions or
requirements regarding typeoflegal entity thatmaysupply basictelecommunications?
Arethere anylimits onforeign ownership orequity participation?)
(iv) Nationaltreatment.Whatkindoflimitationsonnationaltreatmentareinplaceextending
toforeign suppliers treatment lessfavourable thanfordomestic suppliers .(E.g. Are
preferences given todomestic suppliers orrestrictions orobligations imposed onforeign
suppliers withrespect toanyprocedures orregulations, including licensing? Arethere
anylimitationsonthenationalityorresidencyofmanagers,directorsorboardmembers?
Arethere anyrestrictions onforeign ownership oflandorfacilities?)
(v) Licensing. Iflicensing isrequired inthissub-sector orcategory, briefly describe the
procedures concerned andexplain themain requirements, criteria andfeesapplied.
What aresome oftheprincipal terms andconditions onlicensees, oncealicence is
obtained?S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
Page5
Note: Licensing isintended tobeunderstood inabroad sense, toinclude processes suchasapproval,
authorization, registration orcertification, asapplicable.
A. Sub-sectors
Forany-subsectorinwhichcompetitionispermittedinyourregime(i.e.,whicharenotreserved
tomonopoly orexclusive suppliers) answer questions (i)through (v)above, asapplicable. Thefollowing
listofsub-sectors isconsidered illustrative andshould besupplemented withanyother sub-sectors
orsub-activities which youmaywishtodescribe.
a. Voice telephone services
b. Packet-switched datatransmission services
c. Circuit switched datatransmission services
d. Telex services
e. Telegraph services
f. Facsimile services
g. Private leased circuit services, and
o. Other
Thefollowing aresomeadditional examples ofbasictelecommunications services notexplicitly
listed in(a)-(g)and(o),above, forwhich responses mayberelevant: voice/non-voice services using
domestic/international private leased circuits; cable-TV-related voice telephone networks andservices;
domestic/international satellite services andsatellite links/capacity; analogue/digital cellular mobile
networks andservices; PCSnetworks andservices; paging services; mobile dataservices; fixed
line/wireless localaccess; local/long distance linelinks; local/long distance switching; international
switching andother international gateway facilities. Whereas some ofthese might beconsidered to
fallunder (o),above, some might bealsoconsidered tobeactivities falling within sub-sectors (a)-(g).
B. Categories
Foreachofthecategories thatfollow inwhich competition ispermitted, answer questions (i)
through (v)above, asapplicable, aswellasthespecific questions listed under agiven category.
(i) Overview
Polishregulationsarenotinlinewiththecategorizationlistedinthequestionnaire.Theregulation
system isconnected withtheclassification oftelecommunications equipment, networks andservices.
Asregards equipment thewireless devices areconsidered separately.
Telecommunications networks areclassified according to:
(1) Modes ofapplication:
(a) public networks (designed forsupplying services toeverybody).
(b) non-public dedicated networks (designed forrendering services toselected
groups ofusers)
(c) internal networks (assigned tomeetprivate needs ofanetwork owner).S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
Page6
(2) Type ofnetwork:
(a) telephone networks
(b) telegraph networks
(c) cellular, mobile telephony network
(d) networks designed onlyforradio diffusion andtelevision services
(3) Range ofnetwork:
(a) international networks
(b) longdistance networks between thetelephone numbering zones
(c) networks thatdonotexceed theareaoftelephone numbering zone -local
networks.
4) Applied technology:
(a) wire-based networks
(b) wireless networks.
Services aredivided into:
(1) universal services; which contain telephone andtelegraph services rendered inpublic
networks.
(2) others.
Foreign suppliers areallowed tosupply basic telecommunications under therules thatare
described below.
(ii) Modes ofsupply
Thefundamental question thatdetermines thetreatment offourmodes ofsupply written in
GATS isthegeneral rulebeing obligatory inPolish law,thateachtelecommunications activity, being
basedbothoninstallationanduseoftelecommunicationsequipmentornetworksandradiocommunication
receivers ortransceivers, andsupplying telecommunication services, needrespectively permission or
licence.
Licences andpermissions aregranted totheentities thatareallowed tooperate ontheterritory
ofPoland onthebasis ofappropriate rules. Asregards foreign entities, itexists thelimitation ofthe
legalform offirms: limited liability companies andjoint-stock companies registered inPoland are
onlyallowed tooperate inPoland.
Thecross border supply andabroad consumption canberealized:
(1) according toprovisions ofinternational agreements towhich Poland isaside.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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(2) intheframeworkofco-operationcontractswithentitieshavingappropriateauthorization
toruntelecommunication activity inPoland.
(iii) Market access
TheregulatoryregimeletstheMinisterofCommunicationstocreateflexiblyanumberofentities
acting intheareaofindividual markets, but,iftheminister decides torestrict thenumber oflicences
granted toentities, heisbound toselect alicensee through atender.
Itisanticipatedthatlicenceswillbegrantedforsupplyingtelephoneservicealongpublicnetworks
foreachnumbering zone, soasinthezonewillbeactive another supplier except TPSA.
Moreover, itisanticipated togrant twonationwide licences forservices rendered innetworks
GSM 900andonelicence forservice inthenetwork DCS 1800.
Itisnotexcluded toextend solutions ofthistypeonother networks andservices.
Beside theabove mentioned limitations, thereexistthefollowing limitations imposed onforeign
entities:
Inthescope ofinstallation anduseoftelecommunications networks andequipment:
(1) thepermissions toinstall andusethefollowing telecommunications networks and
equipment arenotgranted:
(a) radio communications equipment withtherange exceeding Polish borders.
(b) international telecommunications networks.
(2) thepermissions toinstall andusethefollowing telecommunications networks and
equipment arenotgranted toentities inwhich foreign participation innominal capital
isabove 49%:
(a) public telephone networks between numbering zones
(b) cellular mobile telephone networks
(c) non-telephone public telecommunications networks witharange exceeding area
ofonenumbering zone
(d) non-public dedicated telecommunications networks witharange exceeding area
ofonenumbering zone.
Except:
- satellite radio communication network forshort-term, occasional transmissions.
- fortheneeds ofamateur radioservices within thescheme ofinternational organizations.
inwhich Poland isamember.
- inmobile radio communications networks, according tothedecision oftheMinister
ofCommunications.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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Inthescope oftelecommunications services:
Nolicences aregranted tosupply telecommunications services, toentities inwhich
apercentage offoreign participation innominal capital isabove 49%inthefollowing cases:
(a) servicesbymeansofwire-basedtelecommunicationsnetworksdesignedfordissemination
ordistribution ofradio broadcasting andtelevision programmes.
(b) services inpublic telephone networks between different numbering zones.
(c) services incellular mobile telephone networks.
(d) services inpublic telecommunications networks witharange exceeding geographical
areaofonenumbering zone.
(e) services innonpublic dedicated telecommunications networks witharange exceeding
geographical areaofonenumbering zone.
(f) international telecommunications services.
(iv) National treatment
Thelimitations forforeign suppliers apartfromtheonesmentioned insection (iii)comprise:
(1) Requirement thatthepartnership agreement establishing thecompany thatruns
telecommunications activity, inrelation towhich itexists alimitation ofparticipation
offoreign entity innominal capital to49%, provided forthefollowing points:
- membersoftheboardofdirectorsandthesupervisoryboardshallbeinmajority
Polish citizens, living inPoland, and
- thepercentage ofvotes offoreign entity andentities thatarecontrolled bythe
foreign entities atthemeeting ofshareholders orgeneral meeting cannot exceed
49%.
(2) Therequirement toobtain apermission bytheMinistry ofInternal Affairs toacquire
land.
(v) Licensing
InPolish regulatory regime there exist thefollowing types oflicensing inthesector of
telecommunications initsbroad sense:
(1) permissions andlicences tooperate, aslongastheyarerequired.
(2) typeapprovalforthetelecommunicationsequipmentusedinpublicnetworksanddevices
attachedtothesenetworks,andalsoallradiocommunicationsreceiversandtransceivers.
(3) acknowledgment ofqualifications fordesigning andmanaging oftelecommunication
objects construction.
(4) allocation offrequencies andconditions ofemission towards radio equipment.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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(5) co-ordination ofplansofconstruction, expansion, andrebuilding oftelecommunications
networks.
Theabove mentioned types oflicences aregranted andprocedures aresetforthbytherelevant
bodies, according totheprocedures andconditions aspromulgated andpublished.
B. Categories
Local/long distance/international
1.Q. How arelocalanddomestic longdistance distinguished ordefined?
2.Q. Aretheyanyregulatory orother distinctions between domestic (local andlongdistance) and
international networks andservices andbetween thesuppliers ofbasic telecommunications inthese
market segments? Ifso,whatarethey?
A.1and2.Please refertopartIofthe"Overview".
Wire-based
A. Please refertopartIofthe"Overview".
Radio-based
Note: Please address alltypes ofrelevant radio-based telecommunications including satellite links,
access tosatellite capacity, VSAT, mobile cellular communications, paging, mobile dataservices and
other radio communication systems. Recognizing thatwire-based or"fixed" networks canberadio
based inpart, responses under thiscategory should relate toanyrequirements specifically related to
radio-based elements ofnetworks orservices.
A. Please refertopartIofthe"Overview".
Resale basis
3.Q. Doyourregulations permit international resale ofprivate leased circuit capacity ifconnected
tothepublic network? Ifso,atoneend?atbothends? Under whatconditions? Isresale ofswitched
voice capacity permitted?
A. According totheterms defined inthepermissions andlicences; nevertheless thecommunication
betweenthesubscribersattachedtonon-publicdedicatednetworksandthesubscribersofpublicnetworks
cannot beperformed overtheinternational leased lines.
4.Q. Isresale ofprivate leased circuit excess capacity permitted? Ifso,under whatconditions? May
basic telecommunications beresold tomake them available tothird parties? Forwhich basic
telecommunications isthispermitted?
A. According totheterms defined inthepermissions andlicences.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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Facilities-based
5.Q. Maybasic telecommunications suppliers (foreign anddomestic) construct andoperate their
ownnetworks orinvest inconsortia toconstruct andoperate suchfacilities? Ifnot,whatorganizations
arepermitted toconstruct andoperate basic telecommunications network infrastructures?
A. Foreign anddomestic suppliers canconstruct andoperate theirownnetworks within thescheme
oftelecommunication permissions granted tothem. Allentities permitted toconstruct andoperate public
network infrastructure aretemporarily obliged touseswitching equipment andinterchange transmission
equipment chosen from thethree systems admitted tobeusedinPoland.
Public/non-public supply
6.Q. Doesyourregime make distinctions between suppliers ofpublic switched andnon-public basic
telecommunications? Ifso,how?
7.Q. What basictelecommunications doyourregulations require, explicitly orineffect, tobemade
available tothepublic generally?
A.6and7.
Ourregime makes distinctions between suppliers ofpublic andnon-public telecommunications
bymeans ofgranting permissions andlicences. Intheterms ofpermissions andlicences forpublic
operators there isfreedom tooffertelecommunications services toeverybody ontheareacovered by
thepermission andlicence. Within theconditions defined inthepermissions andlicences fornon-public
operators itisallowed tooffer telecommunication services onlytoselected group ofusers.
8.Q. What basic telecommunications doyourregulations permit tobesupplied onnon-public basis
(i.e., notrequired tobemade available tothepublic generally)?
A. Eachtypeoftelecommunications service canbesupplied aswellonpublic andnon-public basis.
9.Q. What obligations orresponsibilities areincurred bystatus asapublic basictelecommunications
supplier andunder whatconditions? E.g.,What kinds of"common carrier"- likeobligations areimposed
(e.g.withregard touniversal service), andonwhom?
A. Public supplier hasthefollowing obligations:
- topublish detailed terms, onwhich itprovides itstelecommunication services
- tosupply universal services (ifitisauthorized to)
- toattach other telecommunications network constructed, according totheregulations,
toitsnetwork
- toagree withtheMinister ofCommunications prices ofinternational universal services
rendered (itapplies toTPSACompany).
Public supplier hastheright:
- tospecify inthestatute, which hemade generally known, thescope andterms of
supplying universal services (aslongasitispermitted tosupply suchservices)S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
Page11
- toplace telecommunication devices andinstallations onrealproperties, ontheterms
ofthecontract
- toanaccess toproperty oritspart,inorder tosupply services tousers
- specify prices oftelecommunications services, including alsouniversal services with
reservation ofthecasewhen theMinister ofCommunications introduces maximum
prices ontheuniversal services.
10.Q. What, ifany,restrictions arethere onorganizing andoffering aprivate network bya
telecommunications supplier?
A. Organizing andoffering aprivate network byatelecommunications supplier cantakeplace
inaccordance withtheterms, onwhich thistelecommunications supplier canprovide itsservices.
11.Q. Istheoperation ofpublic pay-phones reserved tomonopoly orexclusive suppliers?
A. Operation ofpublic pay-phones isnotreserved toanyselected (indicated) supplier.
PartIII
Regulatory Issues
Inrespondingtothequestionsinthissection,participantsareaskedtoprovidespecificreferences
tothesource orstatus ofthemeasures concerned (e.g., where possible, acitation ofthelaw,regulation,
rule,guideline, decision ordecree).
Relationship between regulatory andoperational functions
1.Q. Doanybasictelecommunications suppliers become involved, directly orindirectly, inmaking
regulatory policy? enforcement ofregulations? informulating standards orenforcing standards?
A. Inrelation totheformulation ofregulatory policy andenforcement ofregulations, basic
telecommunications suppliers canparticipate intheprocess astheneedarises, according tothedecisions
oftheregulating body.
Thestandards areformulated bytherepresentative ofentities thatareinterested inthese
standards. Theintention tosetforthastandard, already being drafted, ispublished, inorder toenable
everybody toexpress itsviews. ThePolish Standardizing Committee (Polski Komitet Normalizacji),
inwhich arerepresented themain interested partners, isempowered toestablish standards.
2.Q. Isyourregulatory authority (orauthorities) alsoresponsible forformulating standards? for
enforcing standards?
A. TheMinister ofCommunications istheregulatory authority intheareaoftelecommunications.
Heisassisted bytwoinspection institutions subordinated tohim -Panstwowa Inspekcja
TelekomunikacyjnaiPocztowa-StateTelecommunicationsandPostSupervision(PITiP)andPanstwowa
Agencja Radiokomunikacyjna -StateRadio Communications Agency (PAR). Eachoftheseinstitutions
canparticipate inthedrafting ofstandards, asapartner. Only theMinister ofCommunications, in
thecaseherecognizes itnecessary, canenforce standards, which areinprinciple, formulated bythe
Polish Standardizing Committee asvoluntary ones. Moreover, theMinister ofCommunications hasS/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
Page12
arighttoformulateandenforcetechnicalandoperationalrequirementsfortelecommunicationsequipment
andnetworks.
3.Q. Howmany levels ofgovernment (e.g.national, regional, state, local) haveresponsibility for
regulationaffectingbasictelecommunications?Pleaseidentifyanddescriberelevantlevelsofgovernment
authority. Arethere anyprocedure enabling suppliers toresolve questions ordisputes theymayhave
ortoappeal adecision withtheregulatory body concerned? Ifso,please describe.
A. Theregulatory bodies were listed intheanswer totheprevious question. BothPITiP (State
Telecommunications andPostSupervision) andPAR(State Radio Communications Agency) havetheir
regional divisions, which areauthorized onlytoparticipate intheinspection activity. Allproblems
connected withtheregulation system should beaddressed totheMinister ofCommunications andon
thesmall scale tothenational boards ofPITiP andPAR, thatinthescope provided bylawsettle the
problems inthewayofadministrative decision. Itisvested arightofappeal against decisions ofPITiP
andPARtotheMinister ofCommunications andofthedecision oftheMinister ofCommunications
itisvested arightofcomplaint totheMain Administrative Court, according totheregulations contained
inthe"Administrative Proceeding Code".
Frequency allotment orassignment
4.Q. What aretheprocedures, requirements andcriteria applied fortheallotment orassignment
ofradio frequencies?
A. State Radio Communications Agency isengaged infrequency management, andisrealizing
thepolicy thatisdefined bytheMinister ofCommunications. Allotment offrequencies isperformed
onamotion ofauthorized entity inthewayofadministrative decision.
5.Q. Doforeign telecommunications suppliers receive national treatment under these procedures
andcriteria?
A. Yes.
Numbering andidentification codes
6.Q. What aretheprocedures, requirements andcriteria usedtoassign numbering andidentification
codes?
A. Numbering andidentification codes aregranted toentities ontheirmotion bytheMinister of
Communications inthewayofadministrative decision.
7.Q. Doforeign telecommunications suppliers receive national treatment under theseprocedure and
criteria?
A. Yes.
Standards, typeapproval andequipment attachment
8.Q. What types ofmandatory standards areinplace?
A. Refer totheanswers toquestions 1and2inthispart.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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Moreover, theMinister ofCommunications canspecify byway ofordinance the
telecommunications systems andstandards, which canbeapplied, andtechnical andoperational
requirements fortelecommunications devices, linesandnetworks, andrequirements inthescope of
electromagnetic compatibility.
9.Q. When astandard isunder review oranewstandard isbeing developed byyourstandards
authority, isthere anopportunity forpublic review andcomment prior toitsadoption? Mayforeign
participate intheprocess? Maytheprivate sector participate inthedevelopment ofstandards? Ifso,
how?
A. Asregards thestandards established bythePolish Standardization Committee theanswer to
thewhole question isaffirmative.
With respect totherequirements setbytheMinister ofCommunications, public procedure
isnotprovided. However, thereareintra-sector andinter-sector coordinations, which aremandatory
inthePolish legislation procedure.
10.Q. What equipment issubject totypeapproval? Isself-certification allowed? Hasyourgovernment
concluded mutual recognition agreements fortelecommunications equipment certification? Arethey
required forforeign produced equipment?
A. Alltypesoftelecommunications equipment designed fortheworkinpublic telecommunications
networks orareconnected tothenetworks andallradio communications receivers andtransceivers
aresubject totypeapproval. TheMinister ofCommunications specifies thelistoftelecommunication
equipment thatdoesnotrequire typeapproval certificate.
Self-certification isnotallowed.
Typeapproval isobligatory irrespective ofthecountry where thetelecommunications equipment
wasmanufactured.
11.Q. Howistheability toattach terminal equipment tothenetwork regulated? What restrictions,
arethere onterminal equipment thatmaybeattached tothenetwork?
A. Inorder toattach equipment topublic network itisnecessary toconclude anagreement with
theoperator ofthenetwork andreceive thecertificate oftypeapproval fortheattached equipment.
Inthecasewhen theattached equipment havenocertificate oftypeapproval itexists apossibility of
detaching itfrom thenetwork.
12.Q. Maybasictelecommunicationssuppliersconnectedtothepublicnetworkusetheirownswitches?
A. Yes.
13.Q. Does thegovernment require network-based suppliers topermit theattachment of
customer-supplied terminal equipment?
A. Thepossibility ofattachment ofcustomer-supplied terminal equipment tothepublic network
isindisputably aclient'sright, ifonlytheequipment hasacertificate oftypeapproval.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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Interconnection
14.Q. Ingeneral, howisinterconnection regulated inyourregime? What aretheregulations applied?
A. Thesystem ofinterconnection isjustbeing developed. Thegeneral ruleisthatinterconnections
aresubject tocivilandlegalagreements, atthesame timethere isalegalobligation imposed onthe
public network operator toattach tohisnetwork other telecommunication network, ifitwasconstructed
according totheregulations. Apart from thecivilandlegal procedure, interconnections aresubject
alsotoadministrative procedure bymeans ofgranting theMinister ofCommunications, inexceptional
cases, therighttospecify terms ofco-operation between suchnetworks. Thissolution hasnotbeen
applied yet.
15.Q. Doyourregulations require network-based suppliers toprovide interconnection forother basic
telecommunications network orservice suppliers? Ifso,please describe?
A. Seeabove.
16.Q. Isinterconnection between leased circuits andpublic datanetworks permitted?
A. Yes
17.Q. What aretherulesandregulations regarding thepricing ofinterconnection? Areinterconnection
charges setinrelation toanyprinciple (e.g. costoriented)? Isthere arequirement tosubmit
interconnection charges toaregulatory body forapproval? Arethese changes inthepublic domain?
Arethesame interconnection charges applied toallsuppliers requesting interconnection orarethey
negotiated onacase-by-case basis? What requirements orobligations existtopublish, make publicly
available, ortosupply details orinterconnection agreements toregulatory authorities?
A. TheMinister ofCommunications hasspecified byawayofordinance thegeneral terms of
connection oftelecommunications networks topublic telecommunications networks andprinciples of
financial settlements between operators andusers ofnetworks.
Noruleorprinciple isimposed when determining interconnection charges.
Itisnotrequired togetapproval ofaregulatory body forinterconnection charges.
Theregulation concerns theinterconnection ofpublic networks andnon-public dedicated
networks.
Theprinciple ofnon-discriminatory treatment ofallentities isinforce.
There isanobligation established tosubmit totheMinister ofCommunication co-operation
agreements concluded, containing information concerning interconnections andinterconnection charges.
Competitive safeguards
18.Q. Whatkindsofsafeguardsdoesyourregimehaveagainstanti-competitivepracticesofmonopolies
ordominant suppliers insituations where theymaycompete withother firms tosupply certain basic
telecommunications inthedomestic market? Intheinternational market?S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
Page15
A. There arenospecific safeguards against anti-competitive practices intelecommunications sector.
InPoland thereexists asystem ofanti-monopoly bodies andregulations. There aretwoanti-monopoly
bodies authorized toperform activities inthisrange:
- Anti-Monopoly Office (Urza dAntymonopolowy ).
- Anti-Monopoly Court (SadAntymonopolowy ).
Regulations related tocompetitive safeguards arecontained intheLawonCounteracting the
Monopolistic Practices.
19.Q. Doyourregulations distinguish between dominant andnon-dominant suppliers? Ifso,what
arethedetailsandhoware"dominant"and"non-dominant"defined?Arethereanysafeguardsconcerning
suppliers whohavemonopoly ordominant control ofaccess tocertain market ornetwork segments?
A. TheLawonCounteracting theMonopolistic Practices specifies adominant supplier assuch
thatcovers atleast40%ofthemarket.
Thelegal monopolists areprotected against competition through thelegal system. When,
according totherulesorbydecision ofaregulation body, thegiven entity hasmonopolistic position,
there isnolegalpossibility topermit other entities toundertake anactivity.
20.Q. Isthereanindustry-wideantitrustpolicyand/oranytelecommunicationsspecificantitrustpolicy?
What aretherules andregulations regarding mergers andacquisitions?
A. Thequestions ofmergers arecontained intheLawonCounteraction theMonopolistic Practices.
21.Q. Arethere anysafeguards concerning basic telecommunication suppliers alsoengaged in
manufacturing oftelecommunications equipment? Ifso,please describe thecontent andworking of
these safeguards.
A. There arenot.
Pricing-related measures
22.Q. What istheroleofthegovernment oranyrelated agency withregard toestablishing prices
(e.g., tariffs, access charges, accounting rates) orpricing policy? E.g., doesthegovernment setprices
oraccounting rates, directly orindirectly (e.g. price capsorrateofreturn controls), ordobasic
telecommunications suppliers determine these themselves? What requirements orobligations doesthe
government setregarding prices charged bymonopoly/dominant suppliers? Orother suppliers?
A. Telecommunications service prices aresetbytheentity that supplies telecommunications
services. TheMinister ofCommunications canspecify amaximum price foruniversal services, i.e.:
telephone andtelegraph services overpublic networks. Moreover, theMinister ofCommunications
caninclude other telecommunications services among general services through anordinance andthen
setamaximum price alsointhisrange. With respect tointernational universal services, thelevelof
prices issetwithco-ordination withtheMinister ofCommunications.
Theprices setbymonopoly/dominant suppliers canbesubject tothecontrol ofAnti-Monopoly
Office.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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Inrelation tothefinancial settlements between operators, refer tothechapter
"INTERCONNECTION", atthesame timeinthesituation when theMinister ofCommunications
specifies bywayofdecision theterms ofco-operation andfinancial settlements between theoperators,
heisobliged toconsult thePresident ofAnti-Monopoly Office before taking suchadecision.
23.Q. Doesthegovernment require tariffapproval ornotification and,ifso,whataretheprocedures?
What requirements regarding cost-accounting areputinplace toensure transparency?
A. Seeabove.
24.Q. Towhatextent istheprinciple ofnon-discrimination applied inpricing policy? E.g., isatariff
package suchasavolume discount targeted foraspecific group allowed and,ifso,whataretheterms
andconditions applied? Areaccounting ratesapplied onanon-discriminatory basisbetween countries?
Ifaccounting ratesapplied indifferent agreements arenotthesame, whatarethecriteria usedtoarrive
atdifferent accounting rates? aresome ofthese criteria required ordefined bythegovernment?
A. Asregardstelecommunicationsservicesrenderedinpublicnetworkstheobligationisestablished
topublish prices forservices rendered.
LawonCounteractingtheMonopolisticPracticesspecifiesthecircumstanceswhenitispermitted
togrant discounts.
Intheareaofinternational telecommunications thesettlements areperformed andaccounting
ratesarespecified byTelekomunikacja Polska SA.
Cost-oriented pricing isnotapplied andnotrequired.
25.Q. Doanybasic telecommunications suppliers getinvolved insetting industry-wide tariffs?
A. There arenosuchtariffs.
26.Q. Onwhat basis areprices (e.g. tariffs, access charges, accounting rates) determined? What
concepts areapplied regarding costs? Isthereageneral principle applied regarding allocation ofcosts?
Iscost-oriented pricing ofbasic telecommunications usedorrequired bythegovernment? Ifnot,do
basic telecommunications suppliers usecost-oriented pricing?
A. Prices andcharges aresetbyentities thatsupply theservices, andtheyhaveapossibility to
engage inthisprocess theMinistry ofCommunications, whatwasdescribed under point 22.
27.Q. Arethere anyrules specific tothepricing ofanewservice?
A. Prices fornewservices arespecified bytheentity thatundertakes supplying suchservices.
Rights ofwayfortheconstruction ofinfrastructure
28.Q. Arebasic telecommunications services suppliers permitted tobuild theirowninfrastructure
orfacilities? Ifso,what aretheprocedure andcriteria forauthorization tobuild infrastructure or
facilities? What aretheprocedures, criteria, limitations orqualifications applied withrespect tothe
granting ofortheavailability ofrights ofwayfortheconstruction ofinfrastructure orfacilities?
A. Building ofowninfrastructure needs apermission oftheMinister ofCommunications. Such
permission maybegranted separately ortogether withalicence tosupply telecommunications services.S/NGBT/W/3/Add.37
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Allentities operating inPoland starting anyconstruction aresubject totherules of"Building Law"
andother lawspertaining totheprocess ofconstruction. Onthebasis ofthislawtheMinister of
Communications hasspecified bywayofordinance thequalifications andmethod oftheirrecognition
necessary toperform specific technical functions intelecommunications building, including designing
andmanaging ofconstruction oftelecommunications objects.
29.Q. Isnational treatment extended toforeign basic telecommunications suppliers under these
procedures andcriteria?
A. Thelimitations concerning foreign entities related toconstruction oftheirowninfrastructure
arelisted inparttwo.
There isaprocedure ofrecognition ofqualifications offoreigners inthescope ofperforming
specific technical functions inthetelecommunications building.
Newtelecommunications services
30.Q. Please describe anygeneral regulatory processes orprocedures thatapply todealing withthe
introduction of"new" telecommunications services. Prior toanyrelevant regulatory procedure having
beencompleted, isitnotpossible forsuchnewservices tobesupplied?
A. Thelegal system enables tostartsupplying newtelecommunications service afterreceiving
appropriate licence onthestrength ofexisting regulations. Intheprocedure ofinvestigation ofthe
application canbefound anexplanation ofterms onwhich given service canberendered.
31.Q. When anewservice becomes possible oravailable, whodetermines thestatus ofthenewservice
(whether itisbasic orvalue-added) andunder whatprocedure andtimeframe?
A. Polish legalsystem doesnotdistinguish basicservices andvalue-added services. Thedistinction
concerns universal services (telephone andtelegraph services inpublic networks andpossibly other
services specified bymeans ofordinance oftheMinister ofCommunications) andother services.
Qualifying aservice according totheclassification inforce should notpresent particular difficulties.