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p.40).Like Tarjanne, also Iosifidis (2002) claims that „convergence […] can be present atthree different, although interrelated levels: the technological level (mainly due todigitization of broadcasting, IT and telecommunications networks), the structurallevel (as a consequence of corporate alliances across different sectors), and theservices and markets level’ [emphasis not in original] (Iosifidis:2002, p.28).It can be easily seen that it is hard to find one common definition or classification ofthe concept in the literature. Some of the definitions concentrate on the technologicalside of the concept whereas some others highlight the convergence of markets andservices. It would be helpful to define the reasons that lead to convergence in orderto provide a better understanding of the concept and its dimensions. Thus, nextsection concentrates on drivers of convergence.2.2. Key Drivers of ConvergenceAs it is not possible to find a generic definition of convergence in the literature, thereare different opinions regarding the drivers of the concept as well. But it is possibleto say that technological change is considered as main driving force of convergence.(OECD:1992, p.13) Also, Blackman (1998) emphasizes the role of the technologicaladvancements and states that, advanced digital technologies allow the manipulationof all forms of information across all types of network and digital compressionabolishes the constraints of the past (p.164). Similarly, Ayish (2003) states that„digitalisation is the major driver, but far from being the only factor, which can makeconvergence happen‟ (p.78). Melody et. al (2003) explain the role of digitalisationas an enabler of „new possibilities for development and creation of services withinand beyond the framework of traditional communication sectors‟ and they alsohighlight the role of computerization as a driver of convergence, besidesdigitalization (p.28). Shin (2005) also emphasizes the importance of internet onacceleration of convergence besides developments in digital technology. Mueler(1999) analyzes convergence as a combination of two factors and states that also theadoption of common protocols and standards are important besides technologicaladvancements. According to Mueler, „raw technological power is only part of the13
convergence story. Often overlooked is the fact that digital convergence also impliesa process of settling upon common protocols and technical standards for datainterchanges. This is a predominantly socio-economic process, not a technical one. Itinvolves the coordinated adoption of compatible technology platforms by a criticalmass of producers and consumers. That process is affected by network externalitiesand product life cycles. So, in many ways, the progress of digital convergence is astory of the rise and fall of specific standards that were designed to bring togethervarious media forms‟ (p.12-14). Similar to this view, Nystrom and Hacklin (2005)emphasize the importance of socio-economic drivers including the opinions andreactions of end-users. According to them, technological change –specificallyinternet and digitalization- together with liberalization of telecommunicationsmarkets is the foremost driver of convergence. They also state that „regulation hasadopted in favorable ways, enabling the process of convergence to move on intodifferent corners of our economy‟ (p.4).2.3. Convergence from a Regulatory Point of ViewWhile analyzing convergence from a regulatory point of view, it is useful to have alook at the situation in the past in order to provide a better understanding of theregulatory situation. Part 2.3.1. briefly explains the situation in the past and rightafter that, Part 2.3.2. explains the regulatory characteristics of the converging sectorsbefore Part 2.3.3. analysis the reasons of need for a new regulatory policy forconverging sectors and Part 2.3.4. puts forth societal importance of convergence andits regulation.2.3.1. The Situation in the PastAs Blackman (1998) summarizes; „in the past, communications networks weredesigned to carry different types of information separately. Telephone networks weredesigned for voice, broadcast networks for video and so on. Individuals have beenrestricted to either communicating with each other via telephone or to watching,listening to broadcast programming‟ (p.164). But with the emergence ofconvergence, this traditional separation has disappeared and new services likeInternet Protocol Television (IPTV), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or digitalbroadcasting have emerged that carry the characteristics of both telecommunications14
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