General This draft European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) defines the stage 1 description of the Televoting (VOT) service. Stage 1 is an overall service description@ primarily from the service subscriber's and user's point of view@ but does not deal with the details of the human interface itself. This ETS includes information applicable to network operators@ service providers and terminal@ switch and database manufacturers. This ETS specifies the requirements where the service is provided to the user via a telecommunications network that is either the pan European Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or any other Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) as provided by European public telecommunications operators. The requirements different from those of the basic call where the VOT service is provided to the user via a mobile network are outside the scope of this ETS. However@ if calls to the VOT service originate or terminate in a mobile network and any special procedure above those for the basic calls has to be performed@ this should be stated in the subclause 7.1 dealing with the interworking between ISDNs@ PSTNs and mobile networks. This ETS contains the core requirements for the VOT service which are sufficient to provide a complete service. This ETS also documents some additional requirements which can be implemented (but do not have to be implemented). Furthermore@ additional functionalities not documented in this ETS may be implemented. The requirements of which are considered outside the scope of this ETS and consequently outside the scope of the corresponding stage 2 and stage 3 standards. This additional functionality may be on a network-wide basis@ or particular to one or a group of users. Such additional functionality shall not compromise conformance to the core requirements of the service. Charging principles are outside the scope of this ETS@ unless specific service requirements are stated. These requirements deal with the allocation of certain call charges to particular users. Interactions with services/supplementary services not listed in clauses 8 and 9 are outside the scope of this ETS. Interactions between optional VOT service features and ISDN supplementary services are outside the scope of this ETS@ unless specific indication is given. Definition and applicability The VOT service allows a service subscriber to know the number of calls placed to particular numbers during the time period of a televoting event (e.g. giving the service subscriber the capability to survey the opinion of the caller using the telephone network). The VOT service is applicable to all telecommunication services using the CCITT Recommendation E.164 [2] numbering plan. If this ETS is applicable to the stage 2 and stage 3 standards for the VOT service@ where the text indicates the status of a requirement (i.e. as strict command or prohibition@ as authorization leaving freedom@ as a capability or a possibility)@ this shall be reflected in the relevant stage 2 and stage 3 standards. Conformity to this ETS is implicitly covered by the conformity of the underlying protocols to their specifications.