Electronic communication

Electronic communication is developing very fast compared to other industries worldwide. More and more mobile devices are being used, as a result of which the importance of mobile data is increasing: by the end of the third quarter of 2014, there were 390,000 mobile data users in Estonia.

In the near future, competition among communication operators in the field of high-speed data communication services is expected to intensify, as video and audio can also be transmitted as data packets. The integration of services and their development that satisfy special customer groups are becoming more and more important. Electronic communication also plays an important role in other industries, as information, its electronic processing and transmission have become a strategic resource like mineral resources, labour and financial capital.

RADIO FREQUENCIES

Radio frequencies are a limited resource, for which the information society's need is constantly growing. Radio frequency management ensures the expedient, objective and transparent management as well as effective use of radio frequencies, which is determined by the Estonian Radio Frequency Plan. The frequency licence required for the use of radio frequencies is issued by the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.

NUMBERING

Numbering is necessary for the provision of electronic communication services, and its supervision is organised in accordance with the Estonian Numbering Plan. The plan determines the requirements for the numbers, short numbers, identification codes and prefixes necessary for the provision of electronic communication services. The numbering licence required for the use of the numbers is issued by the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.

ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS AND THEIR BONDING

If an electronic communication company does not have the appropriate network infrastructure to provide electronic communication services to end users, the access to the communication network is generally used.

Bonding is a special type of access to electronic communication networks, which consists in the technical and logical connection of networks in a way that enables the provision of services to the end users of the connected electronic communication networks.

PROVISION OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SERVICE

Electronic communication service is provided to the end user on the basis of a communication service contract. When concluding an electronic communication service contract, the company is obliged to offer the consumer the opportunity to conclude a one-year contract. The initial minimum period of the fixed-term contract being concluded with a consumer may not exceed two years.

To provide an electronic communication service, the company must be listed in the business register and have submitted a written notification to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority before starting operations.