POLICIES :: eCommunications :: Interoperability
Interoperability
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Services provided over communications networks should be interoperable in order to ensure that consumer choice is not restricted because of incompatibilities between different technologies
In order to promote the efficiency of communications networks and sustainable competition, and to ensure the maximum benefits for end-users, national regulatory authorities are required to encourage and, where appropriate, ensure adequate access and interconnection and interoperability of services.
Under the regulatory framework, Member States are also required to encourage the use of standards as a means of ensuring interoperability of services and freedom of choice for users.
The Commission has adopted a list of standards and specifications to serve as a basis for encouraging the harmonised provision of electronic communications networks, electronic communications services and associated facilities and services. The Framework Directive gives the Commission the power to make these standards and services compulsory – following a public consultation process and with the agreement of Member States – should they fail to be adequately implemented to a level where interoperability between Member States is ensured.
Interoperability of digital television
In the case of digital television, equipment providers are encouraged to comply with an open application program interface (API) in accordance with the minimum requirements of the relevant standards or specifications in order to ensure software interfaces between applications and the resources, under the Framework Directive. The Universal Service Directive requires consumer television equipment put on sale in the EU to respect technical obligations concerning the use of European scrambling algorithms and provision of SCART sockets, so that users are capable of watching digitally transmitted broadcasts which become available during the equipment’s lifetime.