Growth in the information and technology (ICT) sector has exploded over the past 20 years. Dynamic market and technology developments have led to a phenomenon known as convergence, defined in this volume as the erosion of boundaries between previously separate ICT services, networks, and business practices. Examples include cable television networks that offer phone service, Internet television, and mergers between media and telecommunications firms. The results are exciting and hold significant promise for developing countries, which can benefit from expanded access, greater competition, and increased investments. However, convergence in ICT is challenging traditional policy and regulatory frameworks. With convergence occurring in countries across the spectrum of economic development, it is critical that policy makers and regulators understand it and respond in ways that maximize the benefits while mitigating the risks. This volume analyzes the strategic and regulatory dimensions of convergence. It offers policy makers and regulators examples from countries around the world as they address this phenomenon. The authors suggest that countries that enable convergence are likely to reap the greater rewards. But the precise nature of the response will differ by country. Hence, this book offers global principles that should be tailored to local circumstances as regulatory frameworks evolve to address convergence.
Author(s): Rajendra Singh, Siddhartha Raja
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 139
Contents......Page 6
Foreword......Page 8
Acknowledgments......Page 10
About the Authors......Page 12
Abbreviations......Page 14
Convergence Continues to Gain Momentum Worldwide......Page 16
Responding to Convergence......Page 19
Notes......Page 22
Understanding Convergence......Page 24
Convergence Is Reality......Page 25
Opportunities and Challenges of Convergence for the ICT Sector......Page 29
Options for Policy Responses......Page 35
Nothing Endures but Change......Page 45
Notes......Page 46
3 Emerging Regulatory Responses to Multiple Play......Page 48
Supply of and Demand for Multiple-Play Services Are Growing......Page 49
Multiple-Play Challenges in Legacy Regulatory Frameworks......Page 51
3.1 Some Examples of Regulatory Impediments to Multiple Play......Page 53
Implementing the Regulatory Response......Page 54
Crucial Principles for an Enabling Regulatory Environment......Page 56
Authorizations......Page 64
Spectrum Management......Page 78
Interconnection and Access......Page 87
Universal Service......Page 100
Regulatory Agencies......Page 108
Conclusion......Page 113
Notes......Page 116
References and Other Resources......Page 120
Index......Page 132
2.1 Convergence in Developing Countries: A Few Examples......Page 27
2.2 The Impact of an Enabling Environment for Convergence: Wireline Telephony and Job Creation......Page 41
3.1 Examples of Multiple Play in Developing Countries......Page 50
3.2 Consultations Can Build Support for and Strengthen Regulatory Responses......Page 55
3.3 How Competition in Telecommunications Affects Growth and Consumer Costs: Lessons from India and the United States......Page 60
3.4 The Benefits of an Open Licensing Regime: The Case of VoIP......Page 68
3.5 Malaysia’s Simplified Licensing Framework......Page 72
3.6 Japan’s Move to an IP-Based Environment......Page 95
3.7 The Potential Gap in Next-Generation Networks......Page 106
3.1 Globally, Mobile Telephones Surpassed Fixed Lines in 2002......Page 79
3.2 Many Cellular Operators Derive a Large Share of Revenues from Wireless Data Services......Page 81
2.1 Forms of ICT Convergence......Page 26
2.2 Government Responses to Convergence around the World......Page 37
3.2 Summary Results of a Survey of Six Countries......Page 57
3.3 Evolving License Types to Authorize Service Providers’ Operations......Page 65
