Rules for telecommunications: operators, users and network deployment

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The law regulates telecommunications under free competition. Audiovisual content and information society services that do not mainly transport signals are excluded.
2. Any person or company may operate networks and provide electronic communications services without a prior license. They only need to notify the operators' registry beforehand.
3. The universal service guarantees all users, wherever they live, a fixed connection with functional Internet access of at least 1 Mbit per second, phone service, a subscriber directory, public payphones and equivalent access for people with disabilities, at an affordable price.
4. End users have reinforced rights: switching operators keeping their number within one working day at most, ending the contract, clear billing, free customer service and a free out-of-court procedure for complaints.
5. Network deployment is made easier: licenses are replaced by responsible declarations in many cases, networks are basic equipment in urban planning, and operators can access infrastructure from other sectors such as electricity, gas, water or transport.
6. The Government will approve a National Strategy for Ultra-fast Networks to make ultra-fast broadband universal: 30 Mbps for everyone before the end of 2020 and 100 Mbps for at least 50% of households.
7. The radioelectric spectrum is public domain of the State. Its exclusive use requires a concession, with bidding procedures when the number of permits is limited, and a secondary market is provided for transferring or assigning usage rights.
8. Inspection and the sanctions regime are reinforced: fines reach 20 million euros for very serious offenses, and precautionary measures can be imposed even before the sanctioning procedure starts.

Who it affects

• Phone and Internet users: They have reinforced rights: switching operators keeping their number, complaining for free, and receiving clear information on prices and quality.
• Telecommunications operators: They can start operating by simply notifying the registry, but they take on information duties, universal service obligations and sanctions if they fail to comply.
• Public administrations: They must cooperate with network deployment, cannot require licenses in many cases, and their publicly owned operators face strict conditions.
• People with disabilities: They have the right to access to services equivalent to that of other users.
• Homeowners' communities: Operators can install ultra-fast access networks in buildings after prior notice, with response deadlines.

Words worth knowing

Servicio universal (universal service)

A set of services guaranteed to all users regardless of where they live, with a set quality and an affordable price.

Dominio público radioeléctrico (radioelectric public domain)

The radiofrequency spectrum, a public good owned and administered by the State.

Declaración responsable (responsible declaration)

A document declaring compliance with legal requirements that allows you to act without waiting for a license.

Regulación ex ante (ex ante regulation)

Obligations imposed on an operator in advance, before a competition problem arises.

Separación funcional (functional separation)

A requirement for an operator to run its wholesale access business in an independent business unit.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries