broadband strategies handbook.pdf - Khazar University

CHAPTER 3Law and Regulationfor a Broadband WorldThroughout this handbook, we refer to the two primary components necessaryto promote broadband development—one related to supply (the availabilityof and access to broadband networks, services, applications, anddevices) and the other related to demand (the adoption and use of broadband).As the world moves to a converged information and communicationtechnology (ICT) environment, countries are revisiting their traditionallegal and regulatory frameworks and crafting new laws and regulations toaddress some of the supply and demand issues associated with developingbroadband networks and services.On the supply side, certain key legal and regulatory issues are being considered,such as determining how legal and regulatory licensing frameworksmay facilitate voice, video, and data offerings. Other issues are related tospectrum management reforms, Internet interconnection, and infrastructureaccess policies. On the demand side, legal and regulatory issues are alsoarising. As more of our social, political, and economic transactions occuronline, it becomes critical to ensure user trust and confidence. Policy makersare therefore considering measures to ensure users’ privacy and rightsonline.At this time, the legal and regulatory responses to address many of theseissues are still being debated around the world. As broadband expands and91