New Issues in Universal Service Obligation PDF Download
Are you looking for read ebook online? Search for your book and save it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Download New Issues in Universal Service Obligation PDF full book. Access full book title New Issues in Universal Service Obligation by Cristina Murroni. Download full books in PDF and EPUB format.
Author: Cristina Murroni
Publisher: Institute for Public Policy Research
ISBN: 9781860300103
Category : Telecommunication policy
Languages : en
Pages : 36
Get Book Here
Book Description
Author: Cristina Murroni
Publisher: Institute for Public Policy Research
ISBN: 9781860300103
Category : Telecommunication policy
Languages : en
Pages : 36
Get Book Here
Book Description
Author: Patrick Xavier
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 61
Get Book Here
Book Description
There is a clear need, in view of significant competitive, technological and service changes taking place in the telecommunications sector, to review universal service obligations, their coverage, how they are financed and who is responsible for providing them. In many OECD countries, a primary longer term issue is how to provide universal service in the new competitive environment where voice is ubiquitous and cheap, voice revenues low and where voice has become just one of many applications provided on networks. Access too is changing, with more choice in platforms available that allow access to voice applications. This paper overviews the main issues that need to be examined in such a review with a view to the reform of universal service in a way consistent with emerging technological realities and competitive circumstances. The paper draws a number of conclusions outlined below. Important changes have already taken place in universal service in OECD countries, where market liberalization and technological developments in the telecommunications sector have resulted in improvements in telecommunications availability (through increased penetration of fixed line and wireless as well as enhanced quality of service), affordability (through lower prices, in overall terms, and through pre-paid mobile) and accessibility (improved through voluntary but also through regulatory schemes). As a result, there has been significant progress towards universal service. In an NGN [Next Generation Networks] environment where new technologies are competing, a question that arises is whether an approach towards universal service that was framed for a legacy network is still the appropriate policy? An increase in communications facilities and service competition is expected over the next ten years as the communications sector converges, shifts technology to one based on IP [Internet Protocol] protocol and gravitates towards new kinds of networks built with technologies such as wireless, wireline, fibre, cable, powerline, and satellite. With such technological developments and a more competitive environment, cross-subsidy practices are likely to be increasingly unsustainable and an increasing number of countries are turning to the use of Universal Service Funds in order that the burden of USOs [universal service obligations] can be shared more equitably and flexibly among market participants. But as competition from sources such as VoIP [Voice over Internet Protocol], cable telephony, e-mail, instant messaging, pre-paid mobile and pre-paid cheap long distance/international calling erodes the revenue base of telecommunications operators, Universal Service Funds too may come under pressure. The growing diversity of technologies and the capabilities of these new technologies require more precise reflection on what it is about telecommunications services that justifies a universal service policy, and how these telecommunications services should be defined. With the technological changes on the horizon, there seems significant potential for "availability" of telecommunications access, and hence services, in rural and remote areas to be largely achieved over the next ten years. Whether this potential materialises will depend importantly on the removal of disincentives to invest and barriers to entry (including those due to spectrum policy that generates artificial scarcity). This includes minimising price controls and subsidies that discourage competitive entry. All this is consistent with forbearance of regulation in a dynamic, increasingly competitive and convergent communications sector. If availability of telecommunications access is achieved, is universal service policy still necessary? If so, would access alone achieve the goals of universal service, or is it some package of affordable services that require access which should be the objective? Universal service policies in an NGN environment should be constrained by the recognition that USOs should be specifically defined and targeted, transparent, competitively and technology neutral and cost-effective. Universal service objectives such as "affordability" and "accessibility" may be addressed by specifically targeted subsidies (including vouchers) that allow consumers in a multi-platform NGN environment to themselves choose the service provider and technology most suitable to their needs. In appropriate competitive circumstances, the use of well-designed competitive tenders can help generate incentives to contain costs, innovate, and reveal the true cost of delivering universal service thus minimising the subsidy required. At the same time, it needs to be recalled that, in most OECD countries, the PSTN [public switched telecommunications networks] incumbent is still dominant in terms of access to traditional telephone service and the only operator with national (regional) coverage. As broadband access matures, it is becoming clearer that not all broadband access is the same. Each broadband technology has its own performance and economic characteristics, and positive or negative technical aspects. For example, cable, fibre, and DSL technologies have significant bandwidth advantages over broadband wireless local loop, BPL [broadband over power lines], and VSAT [very small aperture terminals]. However, cable, DSL, and fibre work best in high population density areas and may be uneconomic in less densely populated areas. A potential scenario in many OECD countries, therefore, is an environment where metropolitan areas have significantly richer capabilities than the rural areas. This may have long-term effects on social and economic opportunities in rural areas. Moreover, in the future, the quality of access, not merely the availability of access, may become the major consideration in setting policy. In rethinking "universal" access to the range of NGN services, a core issue is whether broadband should be part of USOs. The EU has already moved from voice USOs to include a data USO with a "functional Internet access" provision in its current USO Directive. No doubt there will be close examination of whether "functional access" in an NGN environment necessitates an upgrade to broadband access. Indeed, there are strident calls for such a policy already. But "at least at this early stage of broadband penetration" there are strong reasons to be wary of using a "blunt", blanket USO approach that could distort competition and investment incentives. However, this view may require regular reconsideration because universal service is an evolving concept. More generally, as competition develops through the use of unbundling in a number of countries, it may be necessary to determine the role of unbundled lines in the provision of universal service. In an NGN environment, current funding arrangements for USOs may be unsustainable. A variety of alternative arrangements can be envisaged ranging from a tax on each telephone number to financing through general taxation revenue. They should be thoroughly assessed against a number of criteria, such as economic efficiency, equity and competitive entry as well as against current practice where the infrastructure and service providers directly fund universal service. As part of this assessment, governments may want to consider advantages that could be gained by funding the cost of pursuing the "social" objectives of USOs from government general taxation revenue. Importantly, government funding would link decisions concerning the nature and scope of universal service closely with financial responsibility for such decisions. This could prevail against excessive growth by installing in-built incentives to restrain political disposition for widening universal service expenditure. Certainly, while political advantages flowing from universal service programmes can be gained at the expense of operators and/or consumers, restraint over universal service (needed to stimulate innovation, best practice and cost-effective USO programmes and to minimise the distortions that can arise from excessive USO programmes) is less likely. (Contains 73 notes, 7 figures, and 9 boxes.).
Author: Barbara A. Cherry
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135687978
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 291
Get Book Here
Book Description
This book is the outgrowth of shared interests between the editors and the contributing authors to provide a multidisciplinary perspective in evaluating universal service policy and recommending policy changes to accommodate a more competitive telecommunications environment. The book is interdisciplinary in nature to reflect the extremely complex context in which universal service policy is formed. The chapter authors represent a broad cross-section of disciplinary training, professional positions, and relationships in the telecommunications industry. Academic disciplines represented include law, economics, anthropology, communication, and business. This book's purpose is to significantly enhance the development of effective telecommunications universal service policy among policymakers, industry members, and stakeholders in the United States. Universal service policy has been, and will continue to be, both enabled and constrained by the simultaneous interaction of social, political, technological, and economic forces in the environment in which it is formed. A more effective process for policy design is to seek agreement on how entitlements embedded in universal service policy should be modified as circumstances invariably change over time. Therefore, the volume reflects recent significant developments in U.S. universal service policy--the implementation of which continues to unfold.
Author: Philip Lowe
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1849468311
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 686
Get Book Here
Book Description
This volume contains papers presented at the 17th Annual EU Competition Law and Policy Workshop, organized by Philip Lowe and Mel Marquis and held at the European University Institute on 13-14 July 2012. From a variety of angles the book explores the themes of competition, regulation and certain public policies; their interactions; and, in some cases, their mutual tensions. The authors of the various chapters consider legal and economic issues relating to network industries, industrial, environmental and trade policies, and intellectual property and innovation policies, among others. Comparative views and the views of judges from different jurisdictions are provided, and techniques for mediating among different policy objectives and frameworks are discussed. Authors contributing to this book include: Rafael Allendesalazar, Robert D Anderson, Marco Boccaccio, Ginevra Bruzzone, Cristina Caffarra, Alexandre de Streel, Ian Forrester, Douglas Ginsburg, Geert Goeteyn, Calvin Goldman, Daniel Haar, Küllike Jürimäe, Suzanne Kingston, Lars Kjølbye, Paul Lugard, Mel Marquis, Veljko Milutinovic, Giorgio Monti, Anna Caroline Müller, Rosa Perna, Anthony Pygram, Philip Lowe, Pierre Régibeau and Jon Stern.
Author: Michael A. Crew
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9781402079726
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 440
Get Book Here
Book Description
Worldwide, there is considerable interest in postal and delivery economics. Governments, particularly in the European Union, are examining closely the roles of the two systems and how best to regulate them. This volume brings together 20 essays originally presented at the 12th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics held in Cork, Ireland in June 2004. Contributors include researchers, practitioners, and senior managers from throughout the world.
Author: Omar O. Chisari
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Bank
Languages : en
Pages : 32
Get Book Here
Book Description
"The structural changes that come with privatization may induce a reconsideration of the regulations defined during the early stages of privatization"--Cover.
Author: Erika Szyszczak
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1847313779
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Get Book Here
Book Description
This book looks at the changing role and nature of the regulation of State intervention in the liberalised and privatised markets of the European Union. It examines how the traditional role of the State is now challenged by European Union law, and the implications for traditional public services provided by the State. For the first time in an academic work, the book brings together the interaction of the Internal Market and the Competition rules of the European Union when they are applied to State economic activity. Individual chapters examine specific rules which address squarely the permissible role of State activity in competitive markets, for example an examination of the State aid rules, the rules in Article 86 EC regulating State monopolies and the controversial application of Articles 81 and 82 EC to the State. Other chapters examine the processes of privatisation and liberalisation with case studies on the postal sector, utilities and telecommunications.
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Commerce. Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 412
Get Book Here
Book Description
Author: Gerard Goggin
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742518445
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 212
Get Book Here
Book Description
Media representation of and for the disabled has been recharged in recent years with the expansion of new media worldwide. Interactive digital communications -- such as the Interact, new varieties of voice and text telephones, and digital broadcasting -- have created a need for a more innovative understanding of new media and disability issues. This engaging analysis offers a global perspective on how people with disabilities are represented as users, consumers, viewers, or listeners of new media, by policymakers, corporations, programmers, and the disabled themselves.
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Industrial statistics
Languages : en
Pages : 218
Get Book Here
Book Description
