§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the proposals in the Telecommunications Bill will require the providers of value added network services and other telecommunications services to obtain a licence to operate.
§ Mr. ButcherUnder the Telecommunications Bill any person who runs a "telecommunication system" will require a licence granted or having effect as if granted under clause 7 of the Bill. The provision of "telecommunication services", as defined in clause 4 of the Bill, will automatically involve the running of a telecommunication system and the person running that system will require a licence. The Bill does not define the term "value added network services", which has many different meanings, some of which do not involve the running of a telecommunication system or the provision of a "telecommunication service". If a person providing VANS runs a telecommunication system, he will need to obtain a licence to do so, but, if he does not run a telecommunication system, he will not need a licence.