For regulation to be equitable, it must be ensured completely independently from the different operators present on the market. As with all EU member States legislation, French law has established this separation by creating an independent regulatory body, the French Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. An independent administrative authority was created to regulate competition in the telecommunications sector as a consequence of the liberalisation of this sector, which (except for the mobile telephony sector) had previously been a legal monopoly. Further, technological factors and cost structures which naturally lead to a monopolistic situation do not disappear with liberalisation. However, sector-based regulation will eventually be phased out and replaced by common competition law as competition on the various market segments of electronic communications become satisfactory.

The National IT and Telecom Agency is part of the Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation and has a staff of about 250. The Agency's principal task is to develop and implement initiatives within key areas of the Government's IT policy strategy. A strategy that aims to ensure an optimal framework for IT and telecommunications and conditions that will enable citizens, businesses and the public sector to realize the network society. In this connection, the Agency, as an element in the Ministry's unit organization, also takes an active part in providing input to the Minister. Thus the National IT and Telecom Agency assists in advising the Minister on matters and legislation concerned with telecommunications, communications and information technology. The Agency also assists in the drafting of policy proposals, bills and executive orders in cooperation with the Ministry's departments.

In the era of the informatBIPTion society, BIPT is pleased to be able to add this service to those it already provides to all actors in the postal and telecommunications sectors, and to anyone else interested in those sectors. For several years now, far-reaching regulatory reforms have been carried out in the telecommunications and postal markets. Liberalisation of the markets has dramatically changed the economic and social balance in our nation. Post and telecommunications are now an integral part of our professional and private lives. BIPT, actively involved in all these changes, is ambitious in its objective to offer those with whom it interacts exhaustive, accurate and practical information. Our Internet presence is additional proof of our commitment in that sense.

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials - International, Inc. - APCO International - is the world's oldest and largest not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. With more than 16,000 members around the world, APCO International exists to serve the people who manage, operate, maintain, and supply the communications systems used to safeguard the lives and property of citizens everywhere.

Telecommunications Technology Committee (TTC) "The purpose of this committee is to contribute to standardization in the field of telecommunications by establishing protocols and standards for telecommunications networks and terminal equipment, etc as well as to disseminate those standards. This committee will develop protocols and standards for telecommunications networks conduct studies and research on protocols and standards for telecommunications networks.