This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Affordable telecommunications services - users' rights
The European Union seeks to ensure the availability of a minimum set of good-quality electronic communications services accessible to all users at an affordable price, while minimising market distortion.
ACT
Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services (Universal Service Directive)
SUMMARY
WHAT DOES THIS DIRECTIVE DO?
The ‘universal service directive’ ensures specific rules for the provision of electronic communications services within the EU. In this context, it:
KEY POINTS
Universal service obligations
EU countries must ensure that:
To offset the net costs that service suppliers incur as a result of providing a universal service (which is not always profitable), EU countries may introduce mechanisms to compensate them.
Users’ interests and rights
Consumers must receive information enabling them to understand the services to which they subscribe. Contracts must: (i) provide information on the minimum quality standards of service as well as on compensation and refunds if these levels are not achieved, (ii) mention the right to be listed in telephone directories available to subscribers, (iii) include clear information on the qualifying criteria for promotional offers.
The directive also allows for:
WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?
From 24 February 2002 onwards.
BACKGROUND
The directive is part of the EU telecoms reform package that includes four other directives (the ‘framework directive’ , the ‘access directive’ , the ‘authorisation directive’ and the ‘privacy and electronic communications directive’ ), as well as the regulation establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC).
For further information, see the European Commission's website, as well as the ‘Your Europe’website.
REFERENCES
Act |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the EU countries |
Official Journal |
Directive 2002/22/EC |
24.4.2002 |
24.7.2003 |
Amending act(s) |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the EU countries |
Official Journal |
Directive 2009/136/EC |
19.12.2009 |
25.5.2011 |
|
- |
- |
last update 22.09.2015