This will ensure a level playing field between incumbent operators (who are typically big telephone operators that were put in place by national governments a long time ago) and other companies seeking to compete in the broadband markets.

In order to introduce a level playing field in the Union in relation to access to telephone and existing data traffic records held by a telecommunications operator or the existing recordings of telephone conversations and data traffic held by UCITS, management companies, investment companies, depositaries or any other entities regulated by this Directive, competent authorities should, in accordance with national law, be able to require existing telephone and existing data traffic records held by a telecommunications operator, in so far as permitted under national law, and existing recordings of telephone conversations as well as data tra ...[+++]ffic held by UCITS, management companies, investment companies, depositaries or any other entities regulated by this Directive, in those cases where a reasonable suspicion exists that such records relating to the subject-matter of the inspection or investigation may be relevant to prove infringements of the requirements laid down in this Directive or its implementing measures.

In Montenegro, the privatisation process of the fixed-line telecom provider has been finalised.

In the field of telecommunications, the principle of the portability of telephone numbers has been introduced into Community legislation: the customer can change the telephone operator, while keeping the same number.

This measure is regarded as an essential element to enhance competition: the obligation to change the telephone number when changing the telephone service provider was a considerable barrier.

It includes information that originates from private parties since telephone numbers and other communication data, as well as traffic data do normally originate from telephone operators.