Director
Knut Bryn
Terminals and Networks Department
The department is responsible for developing and maintaining technical regulations on radio- and telecommunications terminal equipment, electronic communications networks (public, private, cable TV), EMC and electrical safety as well as for monitoring the use of radio frequencies and identification of harmful interference. Key tasks comprise preparation of technical regulations, in situ frequency control and handling of interference complaints, issue of licences where required, primarily for aeromobile equipment, and carrying out technical market surveillance on radio- and telecommunications equipment, including marine equipment. The regulations on EMC and electrical safety are limited to equipment and networks used for electronic communication. Concerning the appointment of notified bodies the department assists the Ministry of Transport and Communications with technical evaluations. Developing new regulations imply active participation in the work of EU and EFTA. NPT's responsibility as national standardization body for postal and telecommunications standardization is dealt with in the department. The department consists of about 50 employees and is organisationally divided into two sections plus a standardization secretariat.
Networks
The section is responsible for authorisation of installers and registration of suppliers of telecoms equipment as well as regulatory matters related to private telecoms networks and cable TV networks. The section is also responsible for reporting on future telecoms networks based on an IP-based service platform with various access methods, following the development of electricity networks and other access technologies as well as the development of broadband. Monitoring of questions related to convergence, regulation of access control (‘set-top’ boxes) as well as aspects of interactive TV, also lie within the section’s area of responsibility.
Technical Regulation and Surveillance
The section is responsible for implementing the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (cf. Directive 1999/5/EF), the EMC Directive (cf. Directive 89/336/EF) and the Marine Equipment Directive (cf. Directive 96/98/EF) in Norway. In relation to the latter two directives the responsibility covers matters related to radio and telecoms terminal equipment and electronic communications networks. The section is also implementing parts of the Low Voltage Directive (cf. Directive 73/23/EF) concerning electrical safety requirements on radio- and telecommunications equipment and electronic communications networks. The regulation of networks covers technical requirements for public and private networks, including cable TV networks. A key task is market surveillance of radio- and telecommunications equipment, i.e. testing the equipment against the technical requirements and evaluating documentation to ensure that equipment on the Norwegian market meets the essential requirements. The responsibility for issuing licences for radio equipment to be used in Norwegian aircrafts and personal locator beacons for land mobile use lies with the section. The section takes care of international obligations related to harmonisation of equipment and network requirements, primarily to the EU and EFTA, and is involved in relevant international standardization work.
Standardization Secretariat
NPT is the Norwegian standardization body for postal and telecommunications
standardization. The Standardization Secretariat carries out a range of
administrative and coordination tasks in relation to both international
standardization organisations and other Norwegian standardization bodies.
The Secretariat is responsible for public enquiries on draft telecommunications
standards prepared by ETSI and postal standards prepared by CEN. The responsibility
of the Secretariat also includes the voting procedures on ETSI standards,
postal standards from CEN and recommendations made by ITU. The Secretariat
is intended to act as a link for Norwegian industry into the ETSI and
ITU standardization work.