US embassy cable - 05VIENNA2118

UNCLAS VIENNA 002118 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB/CIP - TIMOTHY FINTON 
STATE ALSO FOR USTR JONATHAN MCHALE AND PAUL NEUREITER 
USDOC FOR NTIA - CHRISTINA SPECK 
USDOC FOR OTT - JOSEPH BURTON 
 
E.O. 12958: 
 
TAGS: ECPS, ETRD, EU, AU 
SUBJECT: LICENSING CONDITIONS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR - 
AUSTRIA 
 
REF:  STATE 114687 
 
1.  Post discussed reftel questions with Martin 
Lukanowicz, Director of the Business Analysis Division in 
the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Regulator (RTR). 
 
2.  With regard to fixed line service in Austria, 
Lukanowicz stated that there are no licensing fees, no 
capitalization or bonding requirements, no build-out 
investment requirements, and not even a charge for 
numbering.  He told us that pursuant to the Austrian 
Teleom Act of 2003 (published in Federal Law Gazette 
number I/70 of August 19, 2003), the intended provision 
of a public communications network or service, as well as 
modifications and termination, only requires advance 
notification in writing from the regulatory authority. 
An English version of the Austrian Telecom Act 2003 is on 
the Internet under: 
http://www.rtr.at/web.nsf/lookuid/5BDD3970C13 76EB2C1256F5 
60024FE0A/$file/TKG_2003_eng.pdf 
 
3.  With regard to mobile and wireless communication, RTR 
usually auctions the scarce frequencies available. 
 
BROWN