Telecoms
Legislation/regulations
Since 1st March 2006, it has been a part of the official policy of the Austrian Regulatory Authority (RTR) to meet the needs of disabled users.
The Universal Service Ordinance (Telecommunication Act TKG 2003, notification date 19th August 2004) introduces minimum quality standards that the provider must respect (benchmark values), defined by ordinance by the Federal Minister of Science and Transport. However, the standards refer only to construction and do not include a broader definition of barrier free access to telecom services and equipment.
While a number of national norms have been introduced, ÖNORM B 1601 (“Special buildings for disabled and old people” in relation to public telephone boxes) seems to be the only direct provision of relevance for disabled persons’ access to telecommunications under the Universal Service Act. In this regard, Article 23 of the Universal Service Ordinance obliges the incumbent, since 1st January 2000, to keep the requirements set out in ÖNORM B 1600 ‘Barrier Free Building’ and ÖNORM B 1601 “Special buildings for disabled and old persons” in relation to public telephone boxes. It is specified that the existing telephone boxes must be redesigned by 2010 at the latest.
In accordance with Article 9 of the EU Universal Service Directive, there exists an obligation to apply special tariffs for publicly available telephone services to disabled users. However no information is provided on the enforcement of this obligation and the regulation does not seem to mention any tariffs.
Under Article 6, paragraph 1, subparagraph 4 of Regulation (EC) No 717/2007 on roaming on public mobile networks in the Community, from 20th September 2007, mobile phone operators will be obliged to automatically provide personalised pricing information to blind and visually impaired persons via voice message if these persons travel to another country using a mobile phone which is registered in Austria (if these persons wish so).
Other initiatives
No other initiatives identified.
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