Telecommunications network operator
A telecommunications network operator is a company that operates a telecommunications network as a mobile network operator and provides subscribers or resellers with access to this network.
If the company has direct contractual relationships with users of telecommunications services ( subscribers ), it also functions as a telephone company .
Classic telecommunications network operators and providers are the (formerly) state-run established telephone companies such as Deutsche Telekom , Telekom Austria , Swisscom , France Télécom , Telecom Italia or BT . Since the beginning of the telecommunications market regulation , alternative telephone companies have also been permitted, some of which operate their own telecommunications networks.
Due to the increasing shift of telecommunication services to IP networks (see e.g. VoIP , IP Multimedia Subsystem ), Internet service providers with their own networks are also to be regarded as telecommunication network operators. This is currently leading to major changes in the framework conditions for international and national regulatory authorities .