The R&TTE directive can only function correctly when manufacturers of equipment are given the opportunity to manufacture devices which are adapted to the network interfaces offered by the operators offering electronic communications services.
According to the R&TTE directive these operators are obliged to publish the exact and appropriate specifications of the interfaces offered to the general public.
Operators have to deliver a copy of their interface specifications to the Institute.
Manufacturers can only produce telecommunications terminal equipment when they know all (technical) characteristics of the network interfaces that are offered by the operators of public electronic communications services.
In accordance with Article 4.2 of the above-mentioned Directive Member States must therefore ensure that these operators publish the accurate and adequate technical specifications of the interfaces offered to the general public and that they regularly update these publications. This had to be done before the general public is given access to the services that are provided through these interfaces.
Operators are obliged to ensure that the interface specifications are made readily available to the manufacturers and the general public, typically user or installer.
The specifications must be detailed enough to enable the design of telecommunications terminal equipment on which all services provided through the corresponding interface can be used. Consequently, this obligation not only applies to the operators who have their own physical interface for the users, but also to the providers of some services.
For the sake of clarity, this ogligation applies both to the interfaces of fixed public telecommunications networks and interfaces of public mobile radio telecommunications networks (e.g. GSM).
This obligation also applies when an operator changes some of the characteristics of his interface. Therefore operators are obliged to regularly update their specifications so that they always remain up-to-date.
In consequence operators have to deliver a copy of the modifications to their interface specifications to the Institute.
Legal basis : Article 38 of the Electronic Communications Act of 13 June 2005
Version 2007.06