Management
of telecommunication infraestructure:
Localret, S.A.
The implementation
of telecommunication networks
was one of the LOCALRET Consortium's
founding objectives. From the
outset, municipalities were
aware of the need to implement
the new telecommunication infrastructure
throughout the region, take
advantage of the opportunities
which this represented; and
minimise any undesirable side
effects.
Accordingly, LOCALRET's
3rd General Assembly (1999)
decided to set up a new management
company for planning and building
telecommunication infrastructure:
LOCALRET, S.A. This company
acts on behalf of local councils
in matters concerning the implementation
of new networks and it deals
with the operators who wish
to extend their IT infrastructure
throughout the region.
LOCALRET, S.A.
(which is wholly-owned by the
LOCALRET) is now operating -
just one year after the General
Assembly's decision.
Telecomunication
services for local councils
LOCALRET takes
full advantage of de-regulation
and competition in the telecommunications
industry and the possibilities
offered by new technologies
to secure a better telecom deal
for local councils. This is
reflected in lower bills and
better technical features of
the service provided.
- Signature of
agreements between LOCALRET
and fixed and cell phone companies
in order to cut call costs.
- IT routing of
telephone calls.
- IP voice services.
- Studies on the
current state of affairs regarding
telecommunications in Catalonia's
local councils.
- Corporate telecommunication
contracts.
- Advice on acquiring
digital telephone exchanges.
- Technical advice
on implementing cell phone networks.
Legal
tax advice concerning telecommunications
- Tendering advice
on local taxation of telecommunication
operators under Local Tax legislation
and special regulations concerning
the Telefónica company
- Representation
of associated municipalities
under delegated powers regarding
the provision of tax information
to new telecommunications operators
- Representation
of municipal interests in discussions
on modifications to the existing
local taxation system insofar
as these affect telecommunications
operators
- Tendering advice
to local councils in connection
with the implementation of telecommunications
networks (local public domain,
urban planning, environment,
etc.)
- Drafting and
drawing up model documents covering
Local Law and Telecommunications
Law (municipal ordinances for
installing and operating radio-communication
apparatus)
- Monitoring of
telecommunication norms and
administrative decisions of
interest to local councils (CMT,
SGT, EU, etc.)
- Co-operation
with the Spanish Federation
of Municipalities and Provinces
Fostering
the information society
In connection with
the Information Society, LOCALRET
has undertaken a series of projects
and initiatives to ensure new
technologies are as widely available
and adopted in the region as
possible. The aim is also to
identify and define the main
steps which need to be taken
to ensure integrated development
of the information society.
- Open Government
in Catalonia is a project
which is being carried out jointly
by LOCALRET and the Government
of Catalonia. Among other features,
it includes: a portal of public
bodies in Internet; a digital
ID card for citizens; the progressive
introduction of electronic signatures;
and setting up a certifying
body.
- Work on the development
of initiatives and projects,
such as setting up a centralised
purchasing office and providing
a bulletin containing technical
alerts. · Advice on drawing
up master plans for furthering
an information society.
- Organising workshops
aimed at elected post-holders
and local government technical
staff regarding developments
in new technologies and the
information society insofar
as they affect municipalities.
- Setting up a
network of Internet centres
to facilitate ICT knowledge
and use for those who lack the
training or opportunities to
access new technologies.
