city university london school of social sciences convergence of ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

cooperation between different subjects is needed for the development ofconvergence. ITU‟s view on competition rules and ex ante regulation is as follows:„Competition rules should be adapted to the reality of this new marketcharacterised by a heavy impact by technology and innovation. It should beparticularly stressed that only the abuse of dominant position has to beavoided, and consequently the application of an asymmetrical “ex ante”regulation is in principle not justified anymore. The situations should beevaluated on a “case by case” basis, taking also into account that a dominantposition in an adjacent market does not automatically imply an extension ofthis position in the market under evaluation by the competition authority‟(ITU:2002 p.5).ITU proposes three options regarding how to define new regulatory approach. Firstone is to progressively introduce a new regulatory model to cover the whole range ofexisting and new services. Second alternative is to build new framework on currentstructures and the third one is to develop a separate regulatory model for newactivities to co-exist with telecommunication and broadcasting regulation. Accordingto ITU, the first alternative seems the only viable one though it is the most difficult toachieve since the second one leaves in place the current vertical regulatory structureas it is in place in most of the developed economies. ITU states that the presentasymmetric approach would be kept in place and the convergence market wouldprobably remain too rigid and over-regulated if the second option is adopted. Alsothe third option does not seem to be viable according to ITU since it could lead toconfusion and uncertainty to have different set of rules running in parallel.It is highlighted by ITU that the general orientation regarding converged regulatorissue is to move towards one converged regulator such as in the United Kingdomwith the creation of OFCOM. ITU predicts that, more countries will establishconverged regulators in charge of controlling all communications sectors in the longrun. However ITU draws attention that there are some negative aspects ofestablishment of converged regulators besides its positive effects such as provision ofeconomies of scope and scale, prevention of legislative and political disagreementsand inefficiencies stemming from existence of different regulatory agencies for eachdifferent sector. According to this, development of digital technology or convergence27
of platforms does not solve the cultural matters at once; rather these issues should bepaid more attention taking into account the globalisation. ITU also highlights the factthat, establishment of one converged regulator does not guarantee handling of allservices, platforms and content in a similar way. According to ITU, internalorganisation of the converged regulator according to the sectors can lead to differentregulations to different sectors and this should be paid attention.Regarding the establishment of a new converged regulator, ITU states that, everymember state should decide whether its regulatory regime is appropriate in order tocope with convergence and it is a national matter to decide if regulatory agenciesneed to be restructured or not. ITU draws attention to the point that „the convergenceof services and markets necessitates a convergence of laws, and may also necessitatethe convergence of institutions or, at a minimum, mandate coordination‟ (ITU:1999,p.6).3.2. OECDConvergence has been a topic in the agenda of OECD since 1990‟s. Since that time,many policies and recommendations regarding convergence have been produced byOECD for its member states. Like ITU, OECD states that blurring of the distinctionsbetween electronic communications sectors necessitates revision in traditionallyseparate regulatory frameworks. However, OECD (2004) also highlights that theintegration of frameworks requires a review of the legal and policy frameworkscovering the formerly distinct sectors and it is not simple (p.3).OECD calls its member states „to consider that convergence of platforms andservices requires the reassessment and consistency of regulatory frameworks‟(OECD:2006 p.21). Consistently, it is stated that „many OECD member countries arein the process of realigning their regulatory regimes to deal with convergence in lightof the disparities that have arisen as Internet content has proliferated. There is also anincreasing trend in some OECD countries to aim for a consolidated regulatoryauthority for broadcasting, telecommunications and other electroniccommunications‟ (OECD:2006 p.21).28
Page 5: ABBREVIATIONSCA: Competition Author
Page 8 and 9: aspects of convergence in the count
Page 10 and 11: framework in UK are put forth takin
Page 12 and 13: oundaries between industries by the
Page 14 and 15: p.40).Like Tarjanne, also Iosifidis
Page 16 and 17: and broadcasting sectors. The blurr
Page 23 and 24: Since end users can benefit from mo
Page 25 and 26: above. In order for them to enjoy t
Page 27: international phenomenon and at thi
Page 31 and 32: egulatory approach than is necessar
Page 33 and 34: or merged them. This section analyz
Page 35 and 36: of a phone line to anyone on demand
Page 37 and 38: households with computers is 36.2%
Page 39 and 40: Turkish Radio Television Corporatio
Page 41 and 42: telecommunications services and inf
Page 43 and 44: competitive market in the country b
Page 45 and 46: egulated by a separate unit within
Page 47 and 48: StrengthsAs overlaps between curren
Page 49 and 50: telecommunications sector that is a
Page 51 and 52: accordance with Article 15(2) of Di
Page 53 and 54: the Media, Communication and Humani
Page 55: Regulators, in Bohlin, E., Brodin,

city university london school of social sciences convergence of ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?