Telecommunications operators

Telecommunications operator means a network operator or service operator. Network operators provide a communications network (telephone, data transfer or television network) in its ownership or for other reasons in its possession for the purposes of transmitting, distributing or providing messages.

Service providers provide data transmission services in communications networks. Service providers mean an operator that provides telephone and data transmission services in the fixed or mobile communications network, an Internet operator and a provider of e-mail services. Also, programme license holders distributing or providing messages in a public communications network, such as the television network, are service providers.

The Act on the Protection of Privacy in Electronic Communications governs the telecommunications operators’ right to process identification data and location data in communications. In addition, operators have the obligation to ensure that their services are information-secure. The operators also have the right to interfere with communications transmitted by its customer company if the information security of the service is at risk to be endangered.

On 4 March 2004, FICORA established a working group called Telcosec whose purpose is to resolve matters of interpretation concerning information security and protection of privacy issues of regulations mainly issued under the Communications Market Act and the Act on the Protection of Privacy in Electronic Communications as well as for the purpose of general exchange of information. The participants of the group mainly consist of representatives of telecommunications operators and the group first focuses on reviewing the Act on the Protection of Privacy in Electronic Communications from the operators’ angle.