equipment of a subscriber and another point, situated at the level of the physical connection in the first concentration, commutation or processing knot; (b) Transmission network is deemed to be the set of physical or electromagnetic means establishing connections for the transport of information between concentration, commutation or processing knots; (c) Concentration, commutation or processing knots are deemed to be every device or system that either directs or processes information originating from or heading toward the subscriber’s system. 3. The basic telecommunications network is exclusive to the universal service operator and shall function as an open network, serving as a support for the transmission of telecommunications services, and the use thereof shall be ensured by the respective providers under equal conditions. 4. The basic telecommunications network is an asset belonging to the state public domain, and is assigned, under the terms established by law, to the universal service operator. 5. The basic telecommunications network shall be developed and modernised in line with the regional planning scheme and the citizens’ needs in terms of civil security and safety. 6. The expropriation of immovable property, as well as the establishment of administrative servitudes indispensable to the installation, protection and preservation of the basic network, shall be permitted under the terms as established by law. Section 12 Public telecommunications service 1. Every public telecommunication service is provided under an exclusivity regime by the universal service operator, being governed by a concession contract to be entered into with the State. 2. Public telecommunication services are considered to be, notably: (a) the mobile telecommunications service; (b) the commuted data transmission service; (c) the circuit hire service. 3. Excepted from subsection 12.1 are the provision of Internet services and the provision of value added services, with strict regard for the provisions of section 23, such services being deemed to be those which, having the fixed telephone service or the commuted data transmission service as their only support, do not require telecommunications infrastructure of their own and can be distinguished from the very services that serve as their support. 4. The telecommunications service provider referred to in the subsection above may be any natural or corporate person authorised by the regulatory entity to that effect, under the terms established by the applicable regulations.