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COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 12 November 1984

concerning the implementation of harmonization in the field of telecommunications

(84/549/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN

COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),

Whereas there is a need to use the full potential of telecommunications in order to assure the economic development of the Community;

Whereas in this context it is essential to achieve, amongst others, the following two objectives:

- the creation of a range of harmonized telematic (3) services offering users throughout Europe the chance to communicate efficiently and economically,

- the creation of a dynamic Community market for telecommunications equipment;

Whereas the introduction of the new integrated services digital networks (ISDNs), and of new broad-band communication services, of special use notably to business users, by all telecommunications administrations and private operating agencies recognized by the Community and offering telecommunications services, hereinafter referred to as the 'telecommunications administrations', offers a prime opportunity for the harmonization that is essential to achieve these objectives;

Whereas it is necessary to support the Community telecommunications administrations in the implementation of the urgent harmonization programmes established by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)/the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (Cenelec), the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and to assist them in ensuring that the necessary resources, particularly of skilled manpower, are available to them,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS:

that the Governments of the Member States ensure that:

- the telecommunications administrations:

1. consult each other, preferably in the framework of CEPT, before they introduce any new service, notably between Member States, with a view to establishing common guidelines so that the necessary innovation takes place under conditions compatible with harmonization;

2. ensure that all new services that are introduced from 1985 onwards are introduced on the basis of a common harmonized approach, notably with regard to services between Member States, so that compatible services are offered throughout Europe, taking into account the progress of work in CEPT, CEN/Cenelec, CCITT and ISO;

3. from 1986 onwards, when they order digital transmission and switching systems that are designed for progressive integration of services, do so taking full account of recognized standards in the Community,

- the Commission is regularly informed of the progress of work, which it will examine periodically with the Senior Officials Group on Telecommunications set up by the Council on 4 November 1983.

(1) OJ No C 144, 15. 6. 1981, p. 71.

(2) OJ No C 138, 9. 6. 1981, p. 26.

(3) The word 'telematic' applies to all those services, systems, apparatus and products which are based on the combined use of electronic techniques of information, i.e. digital processing and transmission. The word 'telematic' is a generic term and does not of course refer to any particular commercial product under that name.