3.6.4.1 Interconnection in the fixed network

In its decisions on "IC 2000" the TKK had issued comprehensive regulations, in the framework of an overall structure, regarding the conditions for the interconnection of the fixed networks of alternative telecom operators and the fixed network of Telekom Austria. With regard to the general section, these decisions are unlimited, with regard to the traffic-dependent interconnection charges a limiting date was set (31.03.2001).

In this connection, a provision was included in item 11.2. of the general section of these regulations, requiring the parties to communicate to each other until 31.12.2000 any possible, substantiated requests for changes regarding the traffic-dependent interconnection charges for the time following 01.04.2001, as well as to embark on negotiations of this issue directly. In this process, every party is free to invoke the regulatory authority regarding the ruling for follow-up provisions in this respect for the time after 01.04.2001 if no agreement is reached within six weeks. If the regulatory authority is invoked prior to 31.03.2001, the parties will continue to apply, on a temporary basis, the interconnection charges of the ruling, until the regulatory authority has issued a legally binding decision. Such new arrangements will then take effect on 01.04.2001.

In line with this arrangement, negotiations between the different alternative network operators (ANBs) and Telekom Austria on new traffic-dependent interconnection charges for the time after 01.04.2001 were conducted, which, however, did not lead to agreements under private law. Already prior to 31.03.2001, five ANBs invoked the TKK, asking it to rule on the traffic-dependent interconnection charges.

As in previous years, the costs of Telekom Austria for cost-oriented interconnection services were calculated on the basis of FL-LRAIC, using both the Top-down approach and the Bottom-up model¹⁷. The mean value from the results of these two calculation methods (assuming a 5% potential for improvement) was used as a basis for the new traffic-dependent interconnection charges.

The cost reductions of Telekom Austria, compared to the interconnection charges valid until 31.03.2001, found reflection in the new interconnection charges in so far as local and regional termination and origination charges during peak times were reduced. The national interconnection charges, as well as the interconnection charges during off-peak times, remained almost unchanged.

This decision by the TKK of 22.06.2001 again confirmed the basic structure of the interconnection charges. There is a differentiation according to peak and off-peak times; a set-up charge, which had been requested by Telekom Austria again, was not ruled. In addition, these charges refer to billing, on a per-second basis, of connections that were successfully set up.

An overview of the determined interconnection charges and the average changes compared to the interconnection charges valid until 31.03.2001 can be found in Fig. 86 (section 4.2.5.3)

To be able to take appropriate account of the factors that are relevant for the amounts of the interconnection charges, the traffic-dependent interconnection charges were limited until 30.06.2002.

Since Telekom Austria as SMP company, in terms of § 33 TKG, is obliged to observe non-discrimination pursuant to § 34 TKG, the regulations issued, in particular the charges, must be offered not only to the respective parties of the proceedings but to all other operators of public telecommunications networks.

A further regulation of the provisions ruled in the Annex to Z 30/99, at the end of the period under review, referred to the issue of handling the accounting of the so-called "indirect traffic" ("cascaded accounting"). For this reason, this complex of problems is examined below in greater detail.