Decree-Law 249/2001, of 21 September 2001, amends the Regulation on the Operation of Public Telecommunication Networks approved by Decree-Law 290-A/99 of 30 July 2001 (Minimum Offer of Leased Circuits), which implemented Directive number 97/51/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 2001 on the implementation of a competitive market in the telecommunications sector.

The European Commission has concluded that some corrections to the implementation of the directives on the implementation of a competitive market in the telecommunications sector are required and issued the above-mentioned Directive, which imposed the amendment of the provisions of the Regulation on the Operation of Public Telecommunication Networks.

The powers of the Portuguese Regulatory Authority (Autoridade Nacional das Comunicações) in connection with the monitoring and controlling of the minimum offer of circuits for lease are extended, and the Portuguese Regulatory Authority is now required to periodically report to the European Commission the performance of the telecommunications operators in respect of the conditions of offer. The legal provisions governing the dispute resolution procedure applicable to telecommunications operators have also been reviewed.

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