Agreement to ensure the connectivity of individuals and companies

Spain has first-rate connectivity infrastructures, as several international bodies have attested. The efforts made by the private sector at the height of the economic crisis, coupled with collaboration from the government, have enabled the extension of broadband coverage throughout the country, beyond any other European Union state. At times like these, in light of the healthcare, social, and economic crisis caused by the rapid spread of the coronavirus, this becomes increasingly invaluable. Connectivity infrastructures are one of the cornerstones of a digital society. The lives of citizens and the activity of companies depend to a large extent on the maintenance of the quality telephone and broadband networks already available. We cannot compound
the disruption of the pandemic with an interruption in digital services. Therefore, in addition to the assurance to maintain connectivity services included in Royal DecreeLaw 8/2020 of 17 March, on urgent, extraordinary measures to confront the economic and social impact of COVID-19, the government and the undersigned telecommunications operators assume the following voluntary commitments, applicable to their field of activity, for the duration of the national state of emergency:

  1. To perform all necessary technical work, making every effort to ensure connectivity, network operation and supervision capabilities, the speed of response time in the event of an incident, especially with regard to the networks that provide support to emergency services.
  2. To maintain the equipment and operations necessary to ensure the redundancy of the network and the adequate provision of digital terrestrial radio broadcasting support services in order that citizens may continue to enjoy digital terrestrial television services.
  3. To coordinate efforts to develop campaigns promoting the responsible use of communications services to ensure the integrity of the network and, specifically, the application
    of legal measures against unlawful and irregular traffic via electronic communications for fraudulent purposes
  4. To make every effort possible to keep customer service channels active with the minimum capacity to address customer needs, both remotely (by phone and online) and in-person through
    communication and information technology retailers.
  5. To develop special measures to expand, at no additional cost to the user, the services associated with mobile phone connectivity for private customers, independent contractors, and
    small businesses, provided there is adequate use of the service and the general provision of the service is not at risk; Wi-Fi connections are recommended for this purpose when available.
  6. To enhance the audiovisual packages offered to customers with additional content to alleviate and ease the situation of isolation or quarantine.
  7. To contribute to the measures developed by the government to promote teleworking, remote learning, and remote healthcare.
  8. From the signing of this agreement and for the duration of the national state of emergency, calls made to the number 061 will be free for customers and free through interconnection, with
    each operator assuming their own network costs.

 

The enumerated commitments will be updated and expanded in line with further initiatives developed by the member entities and new organisations that join the agreement.
It is our mission to facilitate a collective solution to the current crisis. The government and the undersigned entities believe a solution will arrive quicker and with the least possible economic and personal impact if we work together, with each signatory fulfilling its duty and responsibility to society.

SIGNED

 

Third Vice President of the Government and Minster of Economic Affairs and Digital
Transformation
Ms. Nadia María Calviño Santamaría

CEO of CELLNEX
TELECOM

Mr. Tobías Martínez

 

CEO of GRUPO
MÁSMÓVIL

Mr. Meinrad Spenger

 

President of TELEFÓNICA ESPAÑA

Mr. Emilio Gayo Rodríguez

 

Chairman of the National Association of
Telecommunications and Internet
Service Operators
(AOTEC)

Mr. Antonio García Vidal

 

CEO of DIGI Mobil

Mr. Marius Varzaru

 

Chairman of the Association of Local Telecommunications
Operators of Andalusia (ACUTEL)

Mr. Juan Manuel Armario Luque

CEO of EUSKALTEL

Mr. José Miguel García Fernández

 

CEO of ORANGE ESPAÑA

Mr. Laurent Paillassot

 

CEO of VODAFONE

D. Antonio Coimbra

 

President of PTV TELECOM

D. Antonio Carrillo Baeza

 

Executive Chairman of LYNTIA

D. Eduardo Taulet

Since the signing of the agreement on 20 March, DIGI Mobil, LYNTIA
NETWORKS, PTV Telecom, and Association of Local Telecommunications
Operators of Andalusia (ACUTEL), have adhered to the commitments of the Agreement to ensure the connectivity of individuals and companies.



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