3.1 Regulatory Requirements
The RIO is a document prepared by the Dominant Service Provider which defines and provides details of a set of standard terms and conditions for interconnection with other Service Providers
An illustrative outline for a Reference Interconnection Offer is provided as Annex 1 of these Guidelines.
The Dominant Service Provider shall prepare the RIO within three months of being so directed by the Commission and submit it for Commission approval.
The Dominant Service Provider is required to publish its RIO within 15 days of the approval date by the Commission.
The RIO is used by the Dominant Service Provider and another Service Provider to complete individual interconnection agreements between both parties.
The Dominant Service Provider shall ensure that its interconnection agreements comply with the Interconnection Guidelines.
The Dominant Service Provider shall periodically update the RIO to take account of changes to the Guidelines; or the interconnection services offered and the associated networks, processes and systems, or any other relevant items that may directly impact the terms and conditions of the RIO.
The Dominant Service Provider shall include in its RIO an amendment procedure that describes how changes will be made to the RIO’s terms and conditions. The amendment procedure shall:
specify how other Service Providers will be informed about proposed changes and the timeframe for such changes.
provide for submission and approval by the Commission the details of the proposed amendments.
3.2 The Content of the Reference Interconnection Offer
The Reference Interconnection Offer should include the following:
A Framework Agreement which includes definitions, the scope of the agreement, legal rights and obligations of both parties and general contract provisions as follows:
Preamble, definitions and interpretation
Commencement and duration
Confidentiality and non-disclosure
Intellectual property rights
Legal rights and extent of liabilities
Amendments, renewal rights and obligations
Representations and warranties
Terms associated with breach, suspension and termination of the agreement
Provisions for staff safety and systems protection
Dispute resolution and arbitration
Force Majeure, waiver and assignment
Authorised representatives and notices
Governing law and jurisdiction
Language of the Agreement
Description of the interconnection services offered by a Dominant Service Provider
Technical specifications required to ensure successful interconnection
Operational procedures which include service provisioning, planning, network traffic and fault management and maintenance processes
Commercial aspects including charges, payments, billing procedures and terms and conditions
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which include provisioning intervals for interconnection services, quality measures and penalties in case of non- compliance