Onafhankelijke Post en Telecommunicatie Autoriteit
Encyclopedia
The Onafhankelijke Post en Telecommunicatie Autoriteit (OPTA, "Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority") is an independent Dutch
government agency charged with enforcing Dutch law on telecommunication, post and cable TV services. The agency has its head office in The Hague
.
The reason behind its creation in 1997 was to ensure competitiveness on the newly open Dutch market for telephony and other telecom activities. Before, KPN
had a monopoly on the Dutch market, but after deregulation
, other companies entered this market as well. To prevent KPN from pushing the others out of the market because of its might and sheer size, OPTA was created.
The Dutch cable TV network is one of the densest in the world, with over 95 percent of Dutch households having access to cable TV. OPTA also regulates this market, and is a mediator in case companies have differences of opinion with each other on business matters. OPTA decisions can be appealed.
OPTA's function and legal position is similar to the American Federal Communications Commission
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
government agency charged with enforcing Dutch law on telecommunication, post and cable TV services. The agency has its head office in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
.
The reason behind its creation in 1997 was to ensure competitiveness on the newly open Dutch market for telephony and other telecom activities. Before, KPN
KPN
KPN is a Dutch landline and mobile telecommunications company, including both 2G and 3G mobile operations...
had a monopoly on the Dutch market, but after deregulation
Deregulation
Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or...
, other companies entered this market as well. To prevent KPN from pushing the others out of the market because of its might and sheer size, OPTA was created.
The Dutch cable TV network is one of the densest in the world, with over 95 percent of Dutch households having access to cable TV. OPTA also regulates this market, and is a mediator in case companies have differences of opinion with each other on business matters. OPTA decisions can be appealed.
OPTA's function and legal position is similar to the American Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
.