Terms & Conditions

1.1. The Contract shall begin on the Commencement Date and shall continue in force for the Initial Term.
1.2. Upon expiry of the Initial Term, the Contract shall continue in force until terminated by either party in accordance with clause 16.
1.3. Each Service shall commence on the Service Start Date.

2. Provision of the Services

2.1. Comm-Tech shall provide, and the Customer shall use, the Services in accordance with these Conditions.
2.2. Comm-Tech shall exercise the reasonable care and skill of a competent telecommunications service provider in the performance of its obligations under the Contract and shall use reasonable endeavours to supply the Services to the Customer and to deliver and install the Service Equipment by any date agreed between the parties. All dates are estimates only and Comm-Tech shall not be liable for any failure to provide a Service or to install Service Equipment by any agreed date.
2.3. Comm-Tech may carry out a Site survey prior to commencing provision of the Services. Comm-Tech shall notify the Customer of any additional installation costs identified by such survey and the Customer shall be liable to pay to Comm-Tech, on demand, such additional installation costs if the Customer agrees to Comm-Tech continuing to provide the Services.
2.4. Comm-Tech shall be entitled at any time and without liability to modify, expand, improve, maintain, or repair the Services or any of its systems, wherever located, including suspension of the same in whole or in part, provided that Comm-Tech shall use reasonable endeavours to notify the Customer in advance and to minimise any disruption to the Services.
2.5. It is technically impossible to provide the Services free from faults and Comm-Tech does not undertake to do so. The quality of the Services depends on the quality and availability of the network to which the Customer is connected and other telecommunications networks across which data is transmitted.
2.6. Comm-Tech may monitor calls made to its customer services departments to improve the quality of service and for training and verification purposes.

3. Use of the Services

3.1. The Customer must promptly provide Comm-Tech free of charge with all information and co-operation that Comm-Tech may reasonably require and comply with Comm-Tech’s reasonable instructions regarding the use of the Services and/or Service Equipment.
3.2. The Customer must not use or permit anyone else to use the Services:
3.2.1. for any unlawful, fraudulent, illegal or immoral purpose;
3.2.2. to cause annoyance, inconvenience, nuisance or needless anxiety (including the making of hoax calls);
3.2.3. to send, knowingly receive, upload, download or use any material, message or communication which is offensive, abusive, indecent, defamatory, obscene or menacing;
3.2.4. to spam, send or provide unsolicited advertising or promotional material, or knowingly to receive responses to spam, unsolicited advertising or promotional material sent or provided by a third party;
3.2.6. in contravention of any licence, code of practice, instructions or guidelines issued by any regulatory authority or in contravention of a third party’s rights (including Comm-Tech’s rights); or
3.2.7. in a way which Comm-Tech, acting reasonably, considers is, or is likely to be, detrimental to the provision of the Services to the Customer or to other customers or in a way which could materially affect the quality of any electronic communications service over a public communications network, including the Services.
3.3. If Comm-Tech suspends the Services pursuant to clause 15.1 for contravention of clause 3.2 it may refuse to restore the Services until it receives an acceptable assurance from the Customer that there will be no further contravention.
3.4. Each party shall nominate one person from within its organisation who shall act as the account manager of such party for all matters relating to the Contract.

4. Additional Services

4.1. The Customer may order new and/or expansion of existing Services (the “Additional Services”) at any time. Subject to clause 4.2, any order for Additional Services will be deemed accepted by Comm-Tech and be incorporated into the Contract on the earlier of:
4.1.1. the date on which the Customer is notified in writing that the order has been accepted by Comm-Tech; or
4.1.2. the date on which the Additional Services are first made available to the Customer.
4.2. Prior to the Additional Services being made available to the Customer, the Customer must:
4.2.1. sign an Order Form and/or complete such other documentation as may be required by Comm-Tech relating to the Additional Services; and
4.2.2. if the Additional Services comprise a Premium Rate Service (in whole or in part), provide Comm-Tech with all such documentation as it may require in respect of such Service.

5. Equipment

5.1. If it is necessary to install Service Equipment to facilitate provision of the Services the Customer shall, at its own expense and in accordance with any instructions given to it by Comm-Tech, in advance of installation:
5.1.1. obtain all necessary consents, licences, and wayleaves, including consents for any alterations to buildings to allow the installation of the Service Equipment.
5.1.2. provide a suitable environment including all necessary floorspace, trunking, conduits, cable ducts, utility supply and the provision of sufficient electrical connection points in close proximity to the Service Equipment.
5.1.3. ensure that all devices, equipment, or plant necessary to connect the Service Equipment to the Customer System are provided and after installation shall operate and maintain such devices, equipment, or plant; and
5.1.4. carry out all necessary preparatory work and make good any such work after installation.
5.2. All Service Equipment installed at the Site shall always remain the property of Comm-Tech. The Customer must not add to, modify or in any way interfere with the Service Equipment, nor allow anyone else, other than someone authorised by Comm-Tech to do so. The Customer shall be liable for any loss or damage to the Service Equipment howsoever incurred other than normal wear and tear or if caused by Comm-Tech or anyone acting on its behalf.
5.3. All Customer Equipment and/or Customer System must be:
5.3.1. technically compatible with and must not harm the Services, the Service Equipment, the Network, or another customer’s equipment;
5.3.2. in proper working order;
5.3.3. compliant with all applicable standards and approvals for network connection; and
5.3.4. used in compliance with and approved under all relevant instructions, safety and security procedures, standards, or laws.
5.4. Where equipment is purchased from Comm-Tech (“Purchased Equipment”), Comm-Tech will use reasonable endeavours to pass on the benefit of any manufacturer’s warranty to the Customer. However, Comm-Tech accepts no liability for or in respect of such Purchased Equipment under any circumstances
5.5. Title to Purchased Equipment will only pass to the Customer once payment has been received in full in cleared funds by Comm-Tech. Risk in the Purchased Equipment will pass to the Customer on delivery. The Customer must notify Comm-Tech within 28 days of delivery of any faults in or damage to the Purchased Equipment, after which date the Customer will be deemed to have accepted the Purchased Equipment as being satisfactory.

6. Access and Faults

6.1. The Customer must grant Comm-Tech and its sub-contractors’ access to the Site at any agreed time during Working Hours. Comm-Tech may, on reasonable notice, require access to the Site outside Working Hours. Any work carried out by Comm-Tech outside Working Hours shall be subject to additional charges. Where a third party’s permission is required, the Customer must obtain such permission.
6.2. The Customer shall provide a suitable and safe working environment for Comm-Tech and its sub-contractors. Comm-Tech and its sub-contractors will comply with the Customer’s reasonable requirements as to safety on the Site to the extent that such requirements are communicated to Comm-Tech in writing prior to any visit. Comm-Tech shall not be liable for any breach of the Contract which arises as a result of conflict between any safety requirements and the Contract.
6.3. In the event of a fault affecting a Service the Customer should report the fault to the customer support department on 01603 218600. Comm-Tech will use reasonable endeavours to respond to the Customer and rectify the fault in accordance with the SLA (if applicable).
6.4. If the Customer reports a fault which cannot be rectified remotely Comm-Tech may arrange for an engineer to attend the Site or the network terminating unit. Comm-Tech reserves the right to charge the Customer an additional sum for this visit, in particular but without limitation if the visit is made outside Working Hours, if the engineer is refused access to the Site or if the engineer finds there is no fault.
6.5. Comm-Tech shall have the right to recover all reasonable costs incurred in investigating or remedying any fault with a Service where it is caused by the Customer’s negligence or default, by the Customer Equipment or where the fault does not lie with Comm-Tech or any Service Equipment.
6.6. The Customer shall be responsible for all Charges incurred whilst the Service is unavailable due to any fault.

7. Charges

7.1. The Customer shall be liable for all Charges incurred for each Service from the Commencement Date, whether the Services are used by employees of the Customer or by any other person with or without the Customer’s permission or knowledge and notwithstanding that they may have arisen from unauthorised, fraudulent, or illegal use and whether or not they derive from installation and access which have been authorised by Comm-Tech.
7.2. The Customer shall be billed and agrees to pay:
7.2.1. monthly in advance for any recurring charges (for example subscription or rental charges); and
7.2.2. monthly in arrears for usage and non-recurring charges (for example calls or connection charges).
7.3. Comm-Tech reserves the right to invoice the Customer at any time for any Charges which have been incurred by but not billed to the Customer, in particular but without limitation, where Comm-Tech receives an invoice from its suppliers for services or goods previously supplied to, but not invoiced to, the Customer. This includes any operational charges incurred by Comm-Tech and is not limited to UK annual inflation movements and variations, in the form of RPI and CPI increases.
7.4. Charges will be calculated by reference to the Tariff provided to the Customer and to data recorded by Comm-Tech. In the absence of any manifest error, such records will be deemed conclusive.
7.5. All Charges are subject to change byComm-Techgivingnotlessthan30 days prior written notice to the Customer.
7.5.1 A customer can dispute a charge at any time via contact with their account manager, billing team or any member of the support team. Comm-tech will always endeavour to respond to any charge disputes promptly. If credits are due, Comm-tech will credit the customer back up to a maximum of 3 months.
7.6. Where the Customer fails to comply with clause 5.1 or if Comm-Tech is unable to access the Site to carry out any installation work or fault repair work Comm-Tech may charge the Customer for an aborted visit.

8. Payment

8.1. The Customer must pay the Charges in full by direct debit (without deduction or set off). Failed direct debits (for whatever reason) will be subject to a £5charge.
8.2. In the event that payment cannot be made by direct debit, the Customer must pay the Charges in full (without deduction or set off) within 14 days of the date of any invoice issued by Comm-Tech (the “Due Date”). Time for payment of Charges shall be of the essence. Invoices paid by means other than direct debit may be subject to a £2.50 monthly charge.
8.3. Unless otherwise stated all Charges are exclusive of value added tax which, where applicable, will be added to the invoice at the prevailing rate.
8.4. Invoices shall be provided to the Customer electronically. Paper invoices will be provided on request; however Comm-Tech reserves the right to require the Customer to pay a reasonable sum to cover the cost of providing paper invoices.
8.5. Comm-Tech reserves the right to claim statutory interest in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 as amended and supplemented by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2002.
8.6. If the Customer does not pay any amount due by the Due Date, Comm-Tech may instruct a debt collection agency to collect payment (including any interest and/or late payment charges) on its behalf. If Comm-Tech instructs such an agency, the Customer must pay an additional charge, not to exceed the reasonable costs Comm-Tech incurs in instructing the agency. This charge will be added to the Customer’s outstanding debt by the agency.
8.7. Comm-Tech may at anytime:
8.7.1. carry out a credit check on the Customer and the Customer agrees to provide Comm-Tech with any information reasonably required for this purpose;
8.7.2. limit the amount of credit which it advances to the Customer;
8.7.3. require the Customer to pay a deposit, make payments on account or provide some other form of guarantee as security for future charges; and/or
8.7.4. register information about the Customer and the Customer’s account with credit reference agencies. Comm-Tech and other lenders may use this information to make credit decisions. This information may also be used to prevent fraud and to trace debtors.
8.8. Comm-Tech may, without notice, withhold any payments due to the Customer under the Contract or any other agreement between Comm-Tech and the Customer if:
8.8.1. Comm-Tech has reason to believe the Customer is in breach of the Contract;
8.8.2. the Customer is conducting its business or using a Service illegally or for an illegal purpose; and/or
8.8.3. Comm-Tech has received notice from another network operator that payment will be withheld in respect of Calls and Comm-Tech has satisfied itself on reasonable grounds that such event has occurred. The Customer will not be entitled to any payment of Call Commission in respect of such Calls (if applicable).
8.9. Comm-Tech reserves the right at any time to set off any sums owing from the Customer to Comm-Tech against any sums owing from Comm-Tech to the Customer.

9. Security

9.1. In order to access the Services, Comm-Tech may provide the Customer with a set of passwords. The Customer is responsible for the security and proper use of all passwords relating to the Services and must keep them confidential and must not disclose them to any third party.
9.2. The Customer must inform Comm-Tech immediately if it suspects that any password in relation to the Services has become known to someone who is not authorised to use it.
9.3. If Comm-Tech suspects that there is likely to be a breach of security or a misuse of the Services, it may change the Customer’s password (without notice) and notify the Customer accordingly.

10. Intellectual Property Rights

10.1. Except as expressly set out in these Conditions, the parties will not acquire any rights or licences to the other party’s IPR. All IPR in any software (and associated written or electronic documentation) provided to the Customer as part of the Services shall remain the property of Comm-Tech or its licensors.
10.2. Where software is supplied to enable the Customer to use a Service, Comm-Tech grants the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use such software for that purpose only. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, any licence granted by Comm-Tech will expire on termination of the Contract or of the relevant Service.
10.3. The Customer shall not, and shall not permit anyone else to, copy, modify, reverse engineer, decompile or otherwise endeavour to obtain the source code of such software, nor copy the manuals or documentation supplied with such software, except to the extent permitted bylaw.
10.4. If requested by Comm-Tech the Customer shall sign any agreement which is reasonably required by the owner of the IPR in such software to protect its rights or interests therein. No additional charges will be payable under any such agreement. The Customer acknowledges that failure to do so may result in Comm-Tech being unable to supply such software.

11. Indemnity

11.1. The Customer indemnifies Comm-Tech against any claims or legal proceedings (including damages, loss, costs and expenses) which are brought or threatened against Comm-Tech or its sub-contractors by any third party as a result of the Customer’s use of the Services otherwise than in accordance with the Contract.
11.2. Comm-Tech will notify the Customer of any claims or legal proceedings and will keep the Customer informed as to the progress of such claims or legal proceedings.

12. Confidentiality

12.1. The parties will keep in confidence any information of a confidential nature obtained under the Contract (whether written or oral) including the Charges and will not disclose such confidential information to any person (other than their employees and professional advisers who need to know
the same for the purpose of the Contract and who are under a duty of confidentiality equivalent to this clause 12) without the prior written consent of the other party. 12.2. This clause12 will not apply to:
12.2.1. any information which has been published other than through a breach of these Conditions;
12.2.2. information lawfully in the possession of the recipient before the disclosure under the Contract took place;
12.2.3. information obtained through a third party who is free to disclose it; and
12.2.4. information which a party is required by law to disclose.
12.3. The Customer acknowledges that Comm-Tech is unable to share information regarding a customer’s account with an other telecommunications service provider.
12.4. Comm-Tech shall only discuss the Customer’s account with the Customer and, where the Customer is a business, only with those employees with the requisite authority.
12.5. Comm-Tech may disclose information relating to the Customer (including confidential information) to its Group Companies and the Customer consents to such disclosure.

13. Liability

13.1. Neither party excludes or limits its liability for personal injury or death caused by its negligence or for fraudulent misrepresentation or to any extent not permitted by law and clauses 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 will not apply to such liability.
13.2. Comm-Tech will only be liable to the Customer for claims made in writing within 6 months of the date on which the Customer becomes aware or ought reasonably to have become aware of the grounds of such a claim.
13.3. Subject to clause 13.2 above, Comm-Tech’s aggregate liability to the Customer in connection with the Contract whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise shall be limited to the lesser of:
13.3.1. £10,000; or
13.3.2. the amount of Charges paid by the Customer in the 12-month period immediately preceding the date on which Comm-Tech is notified of the claim; in respect of any single occurrence or series of occurrences whether successive or concurrent in any 12 month period.
13.4. Subject to clauses 13.2 and 13.3 above, Comm-Tech shall not be liable to the Customer in connection with the Contract whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise for direct, indirect or consequential loss of profit, revenue, time, business, anticipated savings, opportunity, use, wasted expenditure, loss of or damage to physical property or for any direct, indirect or consequential loss, corruption or destruction of data, whether or not Comm-Tech was advised or aware of the possibility of such damages, losses or expenses.
13.5. In the event of any failure of a Service, Comm-Tech shall not be liable to the Customer should the Customer temporarily or permanently divert its traffic to another service provider.
13.6. Except as set out in these Conditions, all other warranties, terms or conditions whether implied by statute or otherwise are hereby expressly excluded.
13.7. Each provision of this clause 13 operates separately and if any part is held by a court to be unreasonable or inapplicable the other parts shall remain in force.

14. Assignment

14.1. Subject to clause 14.2 below, neither party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Contract without the prior written consent of the other party.
14.2. Comm-Tech may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations to a Group Company without the Customer’s consent provided it notifies the Customer that it has done so as soon as reasonably practicable.

15. Suspension

15.1. Comm-Tech may at its sole discretion (without liability and without losing or reducing any otherright or remedy it has under these Conditions) temporarily suspend the Services either in whole or in part and/or temporarily disconnect any Number until further notice on notifying the Customer either orally (confirming the same in writing) or in writing in the event that:
15.1.1. the Customer has failed to pay any sums due to Comm-Tech under the Contract or any other agreement between the parties;
15.1.2. the Customer is in breach of the Contract;
15.1.3. the Customer prevents or delays any prearranged maintenance from being carried out;
15.1.4. operational reasons require it;
15.1.5. the Charges have reached the limit set under clause 8.7.2;
15.1.6. the quality of the Services or the operation of the Network may be or is impaired or otherwise adversely affected;
15.1.7. there is a case of emergency or Comm-Tech is obliged to do so by an emergency service organisation (in which case no prior notice will be required);
15.1.8. the events set out in clauses 16.1 and/or 16.3 occur;
15.1.10. Comm-Tech has reasonable grounds to believe that a Service is being used illegally or for criminal or fraudulent purposes.
15.2. The Customer will continue to pay the Charges during any period of suspension.

16. Termination

16.1. Either party may terminate the Contract with immediate effect on written notice to the other if theother party:
16.1.1. commits a material breach or persistent breaches of the Contract (including a failure to pay any sums due under the Contract) and, where such breach is capable of remedy, has failed to do so within 30 days of receipt of written notice specifying the breach and requiring its remedy; or
16.1.2. is subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or, in Scotland, sequestration proceedings, becomes insolvent, makes any composition or arrangement with or assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or goes into either voluntary (otherwise than for reconstruction or amalgamation) or compulsory liquidation, or a receiver or administrator is appointed over its assets.
16.2. The Customer may terminate a Service by giving at least 90 days prior written notice to Comm-Tech. Such notice to expire at the end of the Initial Term or thereafter for the Service being terminated. The Customer may terminate each Service independently of another Service however the Customer may only terminate the Contract in its entirety once the Initial Term for all Services provided under the Contract has expired.
16.3. Comm-Tech may terminate the Contract with immediate effect on written notice to the Customer:
16.3.1. in order to comply with a decision or action of a competent regulatory authority;
16.3.2. if the General Authorisation to operate the Network and/or to provide the Services or any part thereof shall expire, be revoked or terminate for any reason without the immediate renewal thereof; or
16.3.3. any contract upon which Comm-Tech relies for the provision of the Services is terminated (for what ever reason).
16.4. Comm-Tech may terminate the Contract and all Services provided thereunder at any time by giving not less than 30 days prior written notice to the Customer.
16.5. On termination of the Contract for any reason:
16.5.1. all monies then owing by the Customer to Comm-Tech shall become immediately due and payable;
16.5.2. any monies owing by Comm-Tech to the Customer shall be calculated by Comm-Tech at the same time as the Customer’s final bill and shall be paid as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. Any monies owing by Comm-Tech to the Customer which are disputed by either party shall be retained by Comm-Tech until such dispute has been settled; and
16.5.3. the Customer shall promptly allow Comm-Tech access to the Site to remove the Service Equipment and shall make good such removal afterwards.
16.6. Where a Service or the Contract is terminated prior to expiry of the Initial Term, other than for breach by Comm-Tech, the Customer shall pay Comm-Tech:
16.6.2. the cost of de-installation of any Service Equipment in relation to that Service.
16.7. If the Customer continues to route calls over the Network after termination, the Customer will be charged for such calls at Comm-Tech’s then standard rates. The Customer shall pay such charges on demand and clause 8 shall apply in relation to such charges.
16.8. On termination, any consequential reprogramming of the Customer Equipment shall be the Customer’s responsibility and at the Customer’s cost. Comm-Tech is not responsible for any redecorating work at the Site.
16.9. Termination of the Contract shall be without prejudice to any claims or remedies that either party may have against the other accrued up to the date of termination.
16.10. On termination of the Contract (for whatever reason) clauses, 7.1,8,10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17.6 and 17.10shall remain in force (so far as necessary).

17. General

17.1. Comm-Tech reserves the right to vary these Conditions at any time provided that any change shall not materially affect the Service or the performance of any Service except insofar as it is reasonable to do so. Comm-Tech will post the current version of these Conditions on Comm-Tech’s website (http://www.Comm-Tech.co.uk) and the Customer is advised to review these at regular intervals.
17.2. Neither party shall be deemed to be in breach of the Contract or otherwise be liable by reason of any delay in performance or non performance of any of its obligations under the Contract (other than the obligation to make payments due under it) to the extent that such delay or non-performance is caused by a matter beyond its reasonable control of which it has notified the other party, including but not limited to insurrection or civil disorder, war or military operation, international, national or local emergency, acts or omissions of government, highway authority or other competent authority, failure or delay of a supplier to supply Comm-Tech with the Services, compliance with any statutory or regulatory obligation or constraint, industrial disputes of any kind (whether or not involving Comm-Tech employees), fire, lightning, explosion, flood, subsidence, weather of exceptional severity, or acts or omissions of persons for whom it is not responsible (including in particular other
telecommunications service providers). If, pursuant to this clause, either party is unable to perform its obligations under the Contract for a continuous period of 3 months or longer, either party may terminate the Contract in whole or in part with immediate effect on giving written notice to the other. 17.3. The parties shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to supply and use of the Services, including the Data Protection Act 1998 and any other data protection, privacy or similar laws. The parties shall provide such help and co-operation as is reasonably necessary or requested by the other to enable compliance with this clause. Comm-Tech may from time to time disclose personal data to its sub-contractors, Group Companies and service providers in order to supply the Services.
17.4. A notice given under the Contract must be in writing and may be delivered by hand or sent by prepaid first class post or facsimile to the addressee at the address for that party set out on the Order Form, and if to Comm-Tech must be marked for the attention of the Customer Services Manager with a copy to the Company Secretary. Either party may, by notice in writing to the other in accordance with this clause, change its address for service.
17.5. No single or partial exercise, or failure or delay in exercising any right, power or remedy by any party shall constitute a waiver by that party of, or impair or preclude any further exercise of that or any right, power or remedy arising under the Contract or otherwise.
17.6. The Contract sets out the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings or arrangements, whether written or oral, in respect of the subject matter of the Contract.
17.7. The parties acknowledge and agree that they have not been induced to enter into the Contract by, nor have they relied on any statement, representation, warranty or other assurance not expressly incorporated in it and that with the exception of fraudulent representations, their sole remedies in connection with the Contract are those for breach of contract and all other remedies are excluded.
17.8. Unless expressly provided in these Conditions, no term of the Contract is enforceable pursuant to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by any person who is not a party to the Contract.
17.9. If any provision of the Contract is found by any court or competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable in any jurisdiction that provision shall be deemed not to be a part of this Contract, it shall not affect the enforceability of the remainder of this Contract nor shall it affect the validity, lawfulness or enforceability of that provision in any other jurisdiction.
17.10. The Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and each of the parties irrevocably submits for all purposes in connection with the Contract to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.
17.11. Whilst every effort will be made to match client’s usage patterns with appropriate tariffs at the point of connection, it is the responsibility of the Customer to update Comm-Tech of any changes to their company or individual information that may affect tariff suitability during the contract term.

18. Definitions and Interpretation

18.1. In the Contract unless the context otherwise requires: “Access Service” means such service made available by Comm-Tech to the Customer allowing the conveyance of telephone calls to a Number from time to time pursuant to the Contract. “Additional Service(s)” shall have the meaning given in clause 4.1. “Call” means a telephone call connected to an End User Service (as defined in Schedule2) by means of an Access Service. “Call Commissions” means such sums payable by Comm-Tech to the Customer from time to time in respect of Calls as set out on the Order Form or in the Tariff. “Charges” means the price payable for the Services as set out on the Order Form or as specified in
the Tariff. “Commencement Date” means the date on which Comm-Tech indicates its acceptance of the Contract, either by sending the Customer a welcome letter or by commencing provision of the Services, whichever is earlier. “Conditions” means these terms and conditions (together with any attached schedules). “Contract” means the contract for the supply of Services made between Comm-Tech and the Customer, set out in the Order Form and these Conditions. “Customer” means the person with whom Comm-Tech contracts to supply the Services and whose details are set out on the Order Form. “Customer Equipment” means any equipment, including any telecommunications apparatus or system or software, which is owned or controlled by the Customer. “Customer System” means any telecommunications and/or other equipment operated by the Customer and used in connection with the Services and/or Service Equipment, whether supplied by Comm-Tech or a third party. “Due Date” shall have the meaning given in clause 8.2.“General Authorisation” means the EU communications regime, pursuant to which, there is a general authorisation to provide communications networks or services in the UK, subject to the General Conditions of Entitlement issued pursuant to the Communications Act2003.“Group Company” means in relation to either party, that party and any holding company, parent company, subsidiary or fellow subsidiary undertaking of that party or of its holding company or parent company (as such terms are defined in sections 1159, 1161, 1162 and1173 of the Companies Act 2006). “Initial Term” means 12 months from the Commencement Date or where a Service is supplied, 12months from the Service Start Date for that Service, or such other period specified on the Order Form for such Service, whichever is the later. “IPR” means all patent rights, trademarks, copyright, design rights, database rights, rights in inventions, semiconductor topography rights, know-how, or any similar right exercisable in any part of the world (whether registered or unregistered) and including any applications for the registration of any patents or designs. “Network” means any telecommunications system run by or on behalf of Comm-Tech from time to time pursuant to the General Authorisation. “Number” means either
I. such telephone number from within a national number group range used by Comm-Tech in connection with the provision of an Access Service and as may be allocated by Comm-Tech to the Customer from time to time (“Comm-Tech Number”) or
II. such telephone number not being a Comm-Tech Number from within a national number group range used by the Customer in connection with an End User Service (as defined in schedule 2) and as may be programmed by Comm-Tech in the Comm-Tech Network for the purposes of making available an Access Service in respect of such telephone number. “Order Form” means an order form accepted by the Customer requesting the supply of any or all of the Services from Comm-Tech. “Premium Rate Service” means any service comprising live or recorded telephone information and/or entertainment and similar services which would be defined as such in the Code (as defined in Schedule2).“Public Network” means any public telecommunications system to which the Network and/or the Customer System is connected for the purpose of providing some or all of the Access Services hereunder. “Purchased Equipment” shall have the meaning given in clause 5.4. “Comm-Tech” means Comm-Tech Voice & Data Ltd company number 03286406 whose registered office is at Technology Centre, 40 Vulcan Road South, Norwich, NR6 6AF. “Service” means a service and an Additional Service (if any) to be provided by Comm-Tech to the Customer and set out on an Order Form and “Services” means all such Services. “Service Equipment” means any equipment owned or controlled by Comm-Tech and placed on or installed at the Site for the provision of the Services. “Service Start Date” means the date on which a Service is first made available to the Customer. “Site” means the Customer’s premises where the Services are to be provided, as set out on the Order Form. “SLA” means the service level agreement entered into between Comm-Tech and the Customer in relation to a Service (if
any). “Tariff” means the list of prices payable in relation to the Services as notified to the Customer from time to time. “Working Days” means Monday to Friday, excluding any public or bank holidays. “Working Hours” means between 0830 and 1730 on Working Days.
18.2. In the Contract, unless the context otherwise requires:
18.2.1. words in the singular include the plural and vice versa and words in one gender include any other gender;
18.2.2. a reference to:
I. any party includes its successors in title and permitted assigns;
II. a “person” includes any individual, firm, body corporate, association or partnership, government or state (whether or not having a separate legal personality);
III. clauses, paragraphs and schedules are to clauses and schedules of these Conditions; and paragraphs of the schedules and
18.2.3. the headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of these Conditions.
Schedule 1 –Supplemental provisions for Business Telephony

Services
1.Definitions In this Schedule: “Monthly Spend” means such amount as specified on the Order Form.
2.Conflict and precedence in the event of a conflict between the provisions contained in this schedule 1 and those contained in the body of the Conditions, the provisions in this schedule 1 shall prevail.
3.Use of the Services Comm-Tech may, not more than once in any calendar month, require the Customer to provide forecasts of traffic and/or use of the Services in any format which Comm-Tech may reasonably require. The Customer shall make such forecasts available to Comm-Tech within 14 days of any request.
4.Charges The Customer acknowledges that Comm-Tech will incur cost and expense in providing the Services and any Service Equipment and that Comm-Tech relies on the Customer achieving the Monthly Spend. If the Charges fall below the Monthly Spend in any month, Comm-Tech shall be entitled to invoice the Customer for the shortfall between the actual Charges incurred and the Monthly Spend. The Customer agrees that any such amount represents a reasonable pre-estimate of the loss Comm-Tech is likely to suffer by reason of the Customer not achieving the Monthly Spend.5.TerminationIn addition to all Charges due on termination of the Contract prior to expiry of the Initial Term for any Services (pursuant to clause 16.5 of the Conditions) the Customer shall pay to Comm-Tech a sum equal to 30% of the average monthly call spend for each Service terminated for the period from the Service Start Date up to the date of termination multiplied by the number of months remaining until expiry of the Initial Term for each Service terminated.

Schedule 2 –Supplemental provisions for Non Geographic Numbers and Premium Rate Services

1. Definitions In this Schedule: “Call Charges” means any charges made by Comm-Tech to the Customer from time to time in respect of Calls as set out in the Tariff. “Callers” means any person making a Call. “Code” means any code of practice published by Phone-paid Services Authority from time to time. “End User Service” means such entertainment, live or recorded information or other service (including Premium Rate Services) made available by the Customer from time to time for itself or any Information Provider by means of (in whole or in part) the Customer System (including any bureau service) and using a Number and Access Service. “Information” means information or other content which is made available to Callers, and which represents the subject matter of a Premium Rate Service in whole or in part. “Information Provider” means any organisation or person providing Information or with whom the Customer contracts in respect of the provision of Premium Rate Services. “Ofcom” means the body corporate responsible for regulating the UK communications industries, established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. “Phone-paid Services Authority” means the regulatory agency for Premium Rate Services or any similar body which may be appointed in addition to or in substitution of Phone-paid Services Authority by any competent authority.

2. Conflict and precedence In the event of a conflict between the provisions contained in this schedule 2 and those contained in the body of the Conditions, the provisions in this schedule 2 shall prevail.

3. Use of Services
3.1. The Customer must:
3.1.2. not state or imply any approval by Comm-Tech of the content of the End User Service or Information or refer to Comm-Tech without Comm-Tech’s prior written approval;
3.1.3. not sub-allocate or resell the Access Service or any Number;
3.1.4. comply with and observe (and require any Information Provider to comply with and observe) all laws, requirements and conditions (including the Code) which apply to or otherwise affect the End User Service or Information. The Customer must abide by and implement any instruction, direction, recommendation, opinion or advice given by Phone-paid Services Authority with regard to End User Services or Information generally or with regard to a particular type of End User Service or Information;
3.1.5. ensure, before making available an End User Service or Information, all rights, licences and other consents have been obtained and all requirements of law complied with for the purpose of the provision of the End User Service or Information to Callers;
3.1.6. incorporate into any contract or arrangement it may make with any third party for the provision of Premium Rate Services provisions requiring such third party to observe the Code and to enable Comm-Tech to enforce sanctions imposed under the Code or any rights Comm-Tech has as set out in this Contract against such third party; and
3.1.7. on demand, provide Comm-Tech and/or Phone-paid Services Authority within 2 Working Days with such information and material relating to an End User Service or any future End User Service as may reasonably be requested.
3.2. The Customer agrees that Phone-paid Services Authority may monitor any End User Service at anytime.
3.3. Any failure by the Customer to comply with or implement any of the obligations contained in paragraph 3.1 of this schedule 2 shall be deemed to be a material breach of the Contract.
3.4. In respect of each End User Service which requires the approval of Phone-paid Services Authority pursuant to any regulation or code of practice, the Customer shall, before such End User Service (or any change thereto) is made available to Callers, submit to Comm-Tech written evidence of such approval.
3.5. The Customer shall itself, and shall ensure that each Information Provider shall:
3.5.1. observe all relevant legislation and comply with any codes of practice, directions or requests for information made by Phone-paid Services Authority or the Secretary of State or any other body with competent jurisdiction or persons authorised on their behalf;
3.5.2. not act or omit to act in any way which may injure or damage any persons, property or the Network or cause the quality of the Access Service or any part thereof to be prejudiced or impaired; and
3.5.3. not delegate or sub-contract to any third party the rights provided to the Customer under the Contract. Traffic Forecasting
3.6. Comm-Tech shall only be obliged to provide the Access Services to the capacity levels forecast by the Customer from time to time.
3.7. The parties shall co-operate and liaise together on a weekly basis (or at such other frequency as may be agreed) with a view to agreeing the basis upon which the anticipated number of Calls to an Access Service and, in particular, the predicted number of Calls to all Access Services during the busy hours from time to time will be calculated, together with the profile of Calls through the day experienced and/or anticipated by the Customer from time to time.
3.8. The Customer shall provide to Comm-Tech:
3.8.1. at the end of each month (or at such other frequency as may be agreed by the parties from time to time) a written forecast of its estimated requirements for cumulative capacity within
the Network and/or circuits applicable to each Access Service for each month within the following 6 months; and 3.8.2. at least 7 Working Days prior written notice of any promotion of an End User Service on television or other media where the Customer reasonably believes such promotion will generate an increase in Calls beyond those forecast in accordance with the provisions set out above Numbers.
3.9. The ownership of any Comm-Tech Number allocated to the Customer from time to time shall at all times remain vested in Comm-Tech and any allocation shall take effect as a licence to the Customer to use the same only in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Contract. In particular the Customer must not attempt to sell, transfer or otherwise assign any Comm-Tech Number to any other person. Unless otherwise agreed, any Comm-Tech Number allocated to the Customer shall be at the sole discretion of Comm-Tech.
3.10. Comm-Tech shall have the right to refuse the connection of a Number or to withhold the allocation of any Number during the period of any breach of the Contract by the Customer.
3.11. Unless otherwise agreed, if any Number remains unconnected to or is disconnected from the Network or any Access Service for any reason for a continuous period in excess of 3 calendar months and/or during such period no Calls have been received in respect of any such Number, Comm-Tech may withdraw and reallocate to itself or to a third party such Number without liability by giving not less than 21 days prior written notice to the Customer.
3.12. All Comm-Tech Numbers are allocated to Comm-Tech by Ofcom and the allocation of any Comm-Tech Number and its use shall remain subject to any regulations, directions or instructions issued or given by Ofcom or any other body with competent jurisdiction from time to time, including the withdrawal, termination or suspensionthereof.

4. Commissions
4.1. Subject to paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5 below, Comm-Tech shall pay Call Commissions to the Customer in respect of Calls to each applicable Access Service delivered to and received by a Customer System at the rate and in the amount set out on the Order Form or in the Tariff.
4.2. Following the end of each calendar month, Comm-Tech will submit a detailed statement to the Customer setting out the number and duration of all such Calls delivered and received by the Customer System. Following receipt of the statement the Customer shall submit an invoice to Comm-Tech in the amount shown as owing on the statement. Comm-Tech shall pay the Call Commission within 30 days of the date of such invoice.
4.3. All Call Commissions invoiced by either party hereunder are exclusive of VAT and shall be paid together with VAT at the appropriate rate.
4.4. Comm-Tech shall not pay Call Commissions in respect of any Call which it reasonably believes may have originated outside the United Kingdom.
4.5. Call Commission shall not be payable on invoice balances of £10 or less. Invoice balances shall not roll over from one month to thenext.4.6. In the event that any Access Service is made available to the Customer and the Customer uses such Access Service and no Call Commissions, Call Charges or other charges are specified on the Order Form or in the Tariff then Comm-Tech’s published tariff guide rates for such Access Services shall be deemed to be included in the Tariff.

5. Payment
5.1. Where Comm-Tech is notified in writing by Phone-paid Services Authority that:
5.1.1. any sums payable by the Customer to Phone-paid Services Authority or to any compensation fund or bond established by Phone-paid Services Authority have not been paid; and/or
5.1.2. the Customer or any Information Provider is in breach of the Code; Comm-Tech may withhold all sums due to the Customer until Comm-Tech has been notified by Phone-paid Services
Authority that all such sums, fines, administrative charges or other sums payable to Phone-paid Services Authority under the Code have been paid in full or any breach has been remedied, and if requested by Phone-paid Services Authority Comm-Tech may pay such sums to Phone-paid Services Authority in settlement of amounts owed to Phone-paid Services Authority. In the event that amounts are paid by Comm-Tech to Phone-paid Services Authority to settle amounts owed by the Customer then such amounts shall be deducted from any amounts owed by Comm-Tech to the Customer.

6. Insurance
6.1. The Customer shall affect and maintain suitable legal liability insurance in such amount as Comm-Tech may reasonably require (being not less than £250,000) from time to time for each and every claim arising and shall produce to Comm-Tech on demand a copy of such insurance policy together with the receipt for the current premium.

7. Suspension In addition to its rights under clause 15.1, Comm-Tech may at its sole discretion (without liability and without losing or reducing any other right or remedy it has under the Contract) temporarily suspend the Services either in whole or in part and/or temporarily disconnect any Number on notifying the Customer either orally (confirming the same in writing) or in writing in the event that the Customer is in breach of the Code.

8. Termination
8.1. In addition to the causes for termination provided in clause 16.1, either party may terminate the Contract with immediate effect on written notice to the other if for any reason there is a complete or major suspension of the Access Services for a period in excess of 3 calendar months. In the event of termination pursuant to this paragraph 8.1, neither party shall have any liability to the other in respect of
(i) the termination of the Services; or
(ii) the period of suspension of the Access Services prior to termination other than for any outstanding sums due from one party to the other.
8.2. On termination of the Contract for any reason the Customer shall have no further entitlement to receive any further Call Commissions and shall permit the disconnection of any Number from the Access Services. Comm-Tech may forward Calls made to Numbers previously in use by the Customer to appropriate recorded announcements or other destinations as it sees fit.

19. General conditions of entitlement in compliance with OFCOM Implementation of the new European Electronic Communications Code.

19.1. Where the relevant product, service or good is an Electronic Communications Service according to Applicable Law, including OFOM General Conditions, this clause will apply.
19.2. Following relevance and requirements set out in the General Conditions and to adhere to such requirements, Comm-Tech may provide the Customer with any associated information if deemed relevant or applicable.
19.3. Without prejudice, the Customer may, at any time, waive their right to the protections set out under the General Conditions, these waivers will be set out in the form of an OFCOM EECC opt-out form,
19.4. More information can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/proposals-to-implement-new-eecc