Interconnectionvelvoitteet

Interconnectionvelvoitteet, or interconnection obligations, are regulatory requirements placed upon telecommunications network operators. These obligations ensure that competing operators can connect their networks to each other, facilitating communication services for end-users across different networks. This is a crucial aspect of competition in the telecommunications sector, preventing established operators from hindering new entrants.

The primary goal of interconnection obligations is to promote competition and protect consumer interests. By mandating interconnection, regulatory bodies ensure that a new operator, even if it has a smaller network, can still offer services to customers who may need to communicate with users on a larger, incumbent operator's network. Without such obligations, incumbent operators could refuse to interconnect, effectively creating a monopoly and limiting consumer choice.

These obligations typically cover aspects such as the terms, conditions, and pricing of interconnection. Regulators often set rules for wholesale charges that operators can levy on each other for terminating calls or data sessions on their respective networks. These charges are usually subject to cost-orientation principles, meaning they should reflect the actual costs incurred by the operator.

Interconnection obligations are a common feature in the regulatory frameworks of many countries, established under national telecommunications laws and often influenced by European Union directives or recommendations from international bodies. The specific details and enforcement mechanisms can vary significantly between jurisdictions, but the underlying principle remains the same: to enable interoperability and foster a competitive market for communication services.