ISPs signed a deal with eight voluntary undertakings, to guarantee the functioning of the internet and easy access to emergency services.
Background: The state of emergency in which countries are finding themselves due to the coronavirus pandemic has placed increased importance on telecommunications networks, due to the increased demand for connectivity and the necessity to work from home for everyone who is able to do so. Spain is one of the countries where the Government is implementing strict lockdown measures which has further prompted people to go online.
Government and operators sign a deal: On 20 March 2020, the Minister of of Economy and Digital Transformation of the Spanish Government signed an agreement with operators, through which the providers commit to additional guarantees on top of those included in the Government’s Decree of 17 March 2020 (in which the Government set out the special measures to tackle the emergency). The new agreement makes sure that, during the emergency period, calls made to the healthcare service 061 will be free of charge not subject to interconnection charges for operators, which will all cover their own network costs. Operators will also develop special measures to expand services associated with mobile contracts for private, self-employed and small businesses, at no additional cost, subject to proper use of the service. They also undertake to keep customer service channels active, enrich the audiovisual packages they offer their users with additional content, and contribute to the measures developed by the Government to promote remote work, learning and healthcare.
Traffic management measures are likely to be put in place: Operators pledged to coordinate efforts for a campaign to promote “responsible use” of communication services so that the integrity of networks is not put at risk. In particular, they will adopt the legal measures available against illegal and irregular traffic for fraudulent purposes.
