This presentation discusses the social political economy of information and communication technology. The discussion looks at the evolution of mobile technology-mobile communication technology, mobile computing and telecommunication. The discussion is to look at convergence in ICT and how it is impacting on economic growth.
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Ict convergence dr nana k annan
1. Faculty of Computing and
Information Technology
Post Graduate Certificate in Information
Technology Law (PGdip-CITL)
Dr. Nana K. Annan
Email: nk.annan@wiuc-ghana.edu.gh
Tel: +233 244424578 / 268752196
Convergence in ICT
2. Course Title
Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) Convergence
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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3. Objective
⢠To discuss the evolution of ICT
⢠To discuss global trend of ICT convergence
⢠To discuss the socio-political economy of ICT
convergence
⢠Techno-economy of ICT convergence
⢠Pros and Cons
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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5. Convergence
⢠Bringing together technology, market or
legal/regulation to integrate across diverse
technologies.
⢠International common place of transaction
⢠Combination of different and separate
technology, service, business, market, culture
etc.
⢠Ability to integrate many systems into one
systemâŚ
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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7. Convergence
⢠The consensus toward one common understanding.
This can be found in many areas of life.
â Business
â Technology
â Ideas
â Culture
â Government
â Policy
â Belief
â Media
â etc
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Wisconsin International University College
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8. What is ICT convergence?
⢠The ability of different computing devices,
services, or networks to provide different
services over a common platform.
⢠Bringing industries in the information and
communication technology sector together,
which hitherto were viewed as separate and
distinct in commercial and technological
sense.
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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9. What is ICT convergence? cont.
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Wisconsin International University College
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10. What is ICT convergence? cont.
⢠The interlinking of computer and information
technologies, media content, and communication
networks with various activities, products and
services in the digital media space.
⢠The possibility of various networks platforms to
provide practically the same set of services.
⢠The unification of userâs devices, such as
telephone, PC, TV and audio player into a single
terminal.
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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11. What is ICT convergence? cont.
⢠Putting together Telecommunications,
Computing and Broadcasting into information
and Communications Technologies (ICT)
â Telecom: the convergence of voice & data, fixed &
mobile networks/services, public & corporative
networks and number portability etc.
â ICT: using a single technology to transmit voice,
data and video. A single carrier/provider for voice,
data and video.
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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12. What is ICT convergence? cont.
⢠Integration of two or more technologies.
Digital television, computers and telephony to
provide the same service or content.
⢠Combining and presenting different media
(multimedia) into a single delivery system.
â The internet is a typical example.
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Wisconsin International University College
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13. What is ICT convergence? cont.
⢠What is IT?
Refers to hardware and software used to
store, retrieve, and process data
⢠What is CT?
Refers to electronic systems used for
communication between individuals or
groups
⢠What is ICT?
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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14. What is ICT convergence? cont.
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15. What is ICT convergence? cont.
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16. What is ICT convergence? cont.
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17. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Terminal / Device Convergence
â The ability for different forms and categories of
devices from different manufacturers to connect
together with an architecture that support
different networking paradigms in a single system
to share content, provide information or services
etc.
â Single device to be able to handle voice, data and
video.
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Wisconsin International University College
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18. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
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19. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Convergence of Devices gives service providers
the room to work with devices with different
technologies to offer new and cost-effective
services.
â Online TV
â Web on TV
â Live event streaming over the internet on the Web
â IP phones that uses Ethernet connections
â PC to PC phone calls
â Mobile Banking and Mobile money
â Etc.
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Ghana
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20. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Access Convergence
â Using different access technologies such as DSL,
cable modems, PON/AON, wireless technologies
to provide multiservice access.
⢠Copper cable (twisted pair)
⢠Coax cable
⢠Fibre optic cable
⢠UMTS, WCDMA
⢠etc
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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21. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
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22. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Communication convergence
â The integration of voice, data and video networks
systems and signalling infrastructure in a single
unified networking system using:
⢠IP as common transport platform
⢠SIP as common signalling protocol
⢠IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) â an emerging
architecture of converged fixed and mobile networks.
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Wisconsin International University College
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23. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Communication convergence involves the
combination of:
â Electronic media
â Telecommunication media
â Broadcast media
To provide distinct services via one platform
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24. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Service convergence
â The integration of applications and multiple
services bundled as a single option.
⢠Voice, video and data services (Multimedia
Communications) â VoIP, Unified messaging, video
conferencing
⢠Convergence of mobile and fixed services
â The integration of Short Message Service (SMS)
with Multimedia Messaging (MMS) and Mobile
Instant Messaging (MIM) is a form of service
convergence
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Wisconsin International University College
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25. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Technological convergence
â Is the ability for different technological systems to
evolve toward performing similar tasks.
⢠Desktop computer
⢠Laptop computer
⢠Tablet
⢠Smartphone
⢠Smart TV
⢠Wearables
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Wisconsin International University College
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26. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Media convergence
â This concept is where both old and new media
intersect. It is not just a technological shift or
process; it also includes shifts within the
industrial, cultural and social paradigms that
encourages the consumer to seek out new
information, content and service.
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27. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
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[...]the flow of content across multiple media platforms,
the cooperation between multiple media industries and
the migratory behaviour of media audiences who will go
almost anywhere in search of the kinds of entertainment
experiences they want [...] Convergence is a word that
manages to describe technological, industrial, cultural and
social changes [...] (Henry Jenkins,2006)
... the âcoming togetherâ of previously separate industries
(computing, printing, film, audio etc.) which increasingly use
the same or related technology and skilled workers. A feature
of the contemporary media environment, convergence is a
product of mergers between companies in different sectors as
well as an outcome of technological development. (Branston
and Stafford, 2010 )
Media Convergence
28. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Impact on media organizations
â Benefits:
⢠reducing costs
⢠increasing chances for cooperating with other media
organizations (sharing resources)
⢠investments in technology
⢠multiple platforms
⢠increasing functionality (integration of departments)
⢠training multi - skilled staff
⢠one journalist presents one story on multiple platforms
⢠numerous ways of distributing content
⢠Easier way of collecting feedback from the audience
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29. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Impact on media organizations
â Disadvantages:
⢠media owners tend to copy each other
⢠market becomes less competitive because of the mergers
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Wisconsin International University College
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30. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Impact on media work
â Benefits:
⢠more feedback from the audience
⢠Integration of content
⢠additional resources
⢠new common working space
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31. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Impact on media work
â Disadvantages:
⢠job became âunpredictable, uncertain and constantly
changingâ (Deuze, 2005)
⢠new job requirements (knowing at least fundamentals of
other media)
⢠multitasking
⢠multiple deadlines
⢠technological challenges
⢠reduction of original content
⢠augmentation of work load
⢠loss of editorial indipendence
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32. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Vertical convergence
â This consists of marketing products beyond
telephony (fixed and mobile), internet and
television.
⢠Eg. Ringtones, music, event tickets etc
⢠Horizontal convergence
â This consists of marketing products selling them
and servicing them through a mobile channel
⢠Eg. Music download through the mobile phone, mobile
e-mail, mobile TV, mobile news alerts etc.
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Ghana
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33. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Payload convergence
â This is the convergence of networking where
different data types are carried in the same
communication format. But, the payload
convergence does not prohibit the network from
handling packets, according to their service
requirement
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Wisconsin International University College
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34. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Protocol convergence
â This is the movement away from multi-protocol to
single protocol (typically IP) networks.
â It provides the services necessary for multiple
types of data such as voice and video.
⢠Physical convergence
â This is when payloads travel over the same
physical network equipment regardless of their
service requirements.
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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35. Types of Convergence in ICT cont.
⢠Application convergence
â This represents the appearance of application that
integrate formerly separate functions.
⢠Eg. Web browsers allow the web pages to carry
multimedia content such as audio, video, high-
resolution graphics, virtual reality graphics and
interactive voices
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38. Convergence in ICT
⢠Benefits
â Creates possibilities for companies to develop and deliver services across
technology platforms, and for users to get access to new kinds of communication
and media services
â Promotes the expansion of competition, allowing the introduction of inter-modal
competition where networks and technologies compete with each other with no
technological or regulatory restrictions;
â Reduces costs of telecommunications services;
â Fosters the development of more efficient technologies and services;
â Opens the door for new ways for people to obtain Internet/media access
⢠Telephony can be offered by cable TV operators, TV to telephony providers
â Provides the possibility for new competitors to enter the markets.
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Wisconsin International University College
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39. Convergence in ICT
⢠Disadvantages
â Job insecurity
â Unexpected expenditure
â High technology turn over
â Integration increases impact of theft
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Wisconsin International University College
Ghana
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40. Convergence in ICT
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YESTERDAY, TODAY and TOMORROW
The evolution is still ongoingâŚâŚ
47. What it means
⢠From Analogue to Digitization
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48. What it means
⢠Unbundling of the public switched telephone network
(PSTN) to several horizontal and vertical disintegrations.
⢠More players;
â Network providers, content providers, content aggregators,
application providers, equipment manufacturers, equipment
suppliers etc.
⢠Movement of diverged service platforms to a converged
service platforms.
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Wisconsin International University College
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51. General Pic. Of Convergence in ICT
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Regional
Development
Finance/
Banking
Disaster Management
Travel & Tourism Manufacturing
Media & Cultural
Sectors
Health/Medical Government Services Education/Training
Applications
Electronic Services
(Pay TV, VAS, Internet)
Multimedia, etc. (Public, User group, Private)
Content
Broadcast
Media
Film
Libraries
Software
etc
Interactivity
(Instant & Delayed)
Voice
Data
Sound
Graphics
Video
Telecommunication
Facilities Network
(Information Superhighway)
Computing / Information
Technology
Telecommunication
Equipment Manufacturing
53. Dimensions of Convergence in ICT
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Convergence Sectors Drivers of Convergence
â˘Technology
⢠Industry-Supply
⢠Market-Demand
⢠Policies/Regulation
â˘Industry Specific
â˘Convergent
Applications
⢠Finance
⢠Commerce
⢠Education
⢠Health
⢠Publishing
⢠Manufacturing
⢠etc.
Content
Telecom
Computing
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Policy & Regulation:
Catalyst for, or
Constraint upon
Growth
55. Public Policy Implications
⢠Convergence raises the following regulatory challenges
⢠Public Policy Issues
â Universal Service
â Licensing and Authorization
â Spectrum Management
â Numbering and Portability
â Interconnection
â Network Reliability/Network Security
â Law Enforcement
â Media Ownership
â Accessibility
â Access to Emergency Services
â Service & Content Regulation
â Consumer Protection
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56. Criteria for Economic Growth
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Technologies
Policies
Markets
Applications Services
Regulations
58. Progress with Telecom Reform
⢠Now 130+ Countries with Separate Telecom
Regulatory Authorities
⢠WTO Commitments to Liberalization
⢠Industry Specific Focus of Reforms
⢠Successes, Failures, Unanticipated Difficulties,
Continuing Delays
⢠Policy and Regulatory Reform is Proceeding at
a Slower Pace than Technology Development
or Market and Service Potential
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59. Progress with Telecom Reform
⢠Regulation is often the limiting factor
constraining growth
⢠It is not a simple matter of removing regulations
or eliminating regulators. It is enhancing their
competence and credibility.
⢠Sound regulatory foundations are needed to
attract investment, foster applications of new
technologies and development of new services.
⢠The speed of regulatory reforms needs to
increase and be directed to providing a
foundation for network-based e- Economies.
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60. ICT infrastructure Investment 1990s
⢠Mobile - licenses - operating; spectrum
- network development
⢠Privatising telecom incumbents
- licenses â operating; IPO
- network development obligations
⢠Competitive network operators
- fibre transmission
- city / business LANs
⢠Software, services and content (e.g., Internet)
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61. ICT Infrastructure: Investment
Deficiencies
⢠Local - basic services access
- broadband access
⢠Universal access - voice
- broadband
⢠Internet - local services and content
⢠Applications - e-economy; e-society
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62. Policy, Regulation and Network Inv.
⢠Licensing - paying for the privilege
⢠Annual Fees and charges
⢠Restrictions on investment opportunities
⢠Price and/or profit regulation
⢠Policy & regulatory risk
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63. Unresolved Network Market Issues
⢠Public Resource Infrastructures for Telecom Networks -
Rights of Way, Spectrum, Numbers, Names
⢠Interconnection
⢠Termination Number Monopolies
⢠Access Limitations in the Face of Positive Externalities
⢠Leverage Opportunities for Monopoly Nodes in the
Network
⢠Achieving Faster Infrastructure Network Development
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64. Elements of Policy and Regulatory Risk
in ICT Infrastructure Development
⢠Credibility â regulatory independence from
political intervention on substantive issues
⢠Credibility â Regulatory independence from
incumbent monopoly power
⢠Transparent processes
⢠Accountability for performance
⢠Competence and skills
⢠Commitment to implement policy objectives
⢠Evident fairness
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65. Shift Policy/Regulatory Priorities to
Stimulate Investment
⢠From supply of network facilities to stimulation of
demand to justify investment
⢠From physical capital to human capital
- awareness, skill, capabilities
- applications by individuals & organisations
⢠Diverse sources of private and public investment
- operators, service providers,
- intermediaries (e.g., Telecentres), user
applications
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66. Regulatory Relations Affecting Sector
Investment
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Demand/
Need
Regulation
Policy
End Users
Services
Facilities
Supply Telecom/ICT
Sector
Intermediaries
Public Resources Applications
Demand/
Need
Regulation
Policy
End Users
Services
Facilities
Supply Telecom/ICT
Sector
IntermediariesIntermediaries
Public Resources Applications
67. Rapid Change
⢠Role of the Market
⢠Digital Divide
⢠Role of Government
*Promote Participation & Competition
*Direct Regulation
*Public Sector Applications
*Public Investment - eg., Broadband
*Public/Private Partnerships
⢠At What Level Should Govât Intervene?
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68. Toward Universal Access
⢠Voice - prepaid mobile
⢠Internet, e-economy, e-society
- fixed & wireless network extensions
- new operators â energy, transport
- radio and TV distribution networks
- retail service suppliers, ISPs, VANS
- greater role for intermediaries
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69. Building Capacity for ICT Convergence
⢠Requires Investment in Human Capital
â Policy analysis & regulation
â Strategic analysis & management
â Innovation, experimentation & flexibility
â Demand-led diffusion of core skills
â Network linkages
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70. Proactive Policy & Regulation for
Implementing Convergence
⢠Create a favourable investment environment
for physical & human capital
⢠Minimize barriers to participation
⢠Facilitate demand as well as supply
⢠Apply skills and strategic management to
achieve the spirit of the policy objectives
⢠Can only be done if regulatory structure is
transparent and credible
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72. The need for Consumer Protection
⢠Protection of consumers against;
â Pricing issues,
â Fraudulent or bankrupt operators,
â Disclosure of personal information.
⢠Challenge
â How can customers verify if they are receiving the right services, getting what they have paid for
â What happens to your credit/units, devices (e.g. handset and number) when service provider declares bankrupt?
â Is portability a better solution
⢠How do you provide protection to consumers in an area where neither the services or
technology are regulated?
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73. ICT Regulation
⢠Regulation is an administrative legislation that constrains rights and allocates responsibilities, intended
to shape conduct that is usually a byproduct of imperfection.
⢠It is not the same in law, as parliamentary legislation and judicial decisions
⢠Regulation can take many forms:
â Legal restrictions promulgated by a government authority,
â Contractual obligations that bind many parties (e.g. insurance regulations),
â Self-regulation by an industry such as through a trade association, social regulation (e.g. norms),
â Co-regulation, third-party regulation, certification, accreditation or market regulation.
⢠A regulation may be used to;
â Prescribe or proscribe conduct ("command-and-control" regulation),
â Calibrate incentives ("incentive" regulation), or
â To change preferences ("preferences shaping" regulation")
(Levi-Faur, 2010)
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74. telecoms
A good of public /
national interest
Where the demand for a good or service is
considered a common
necessity for the public at large, and the supply
conditions are such that the public may
not be provided with reasonable service at
reasonable prices, the government may
regulate to ensure that the service is available to
all
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What is usually regulated
water
transport
electricity
***The general need to regulate varies from country to country
75. What can be regulated?
⢠controls on market entries
⢠prices
⢠wages
⢠Development approvals
⢠Pollution effects, employment for certain people in certain
industries
⢠Standards of production for certain goods
⢠The military forces and services
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76. Why Regulate?
It is an attempt to:
⢠Produce outcomes which might not otherwise occur, (e.g.
Facilitate competition)
⢠Produce or prevent outcomes in different places to what
might otherwise occur, ( constructive or destructive outcomes)
⢠Produce or prevent outcomes in different timescales than
would otherwise occur (market failures)
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77. ICT / Telecoms Regulations
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78. ICT / Telecoms Regulations
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79. What must be regulated?
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80. What must be regulated?
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81. Market-based reforms in three ways
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Processâ steps
Privatization
Privatization
and liberalization
Liberalization
Implications
⢠Government sells all or part
of its shares (either private
or public IPO)
⢠Provision of incentives to
investors
⢠___________________________________________
⢠Combination of both
approaches to increase
efficiency of incumbent and
to introduce competition
⢠___________________________________________
⢠Allowance of competitors
into the market
⢠Incumbent remains owned
by government but are
submitted to competition
ICT
sectorâs
reform
Incumbents
New
players
Source: McKinsey
82. Some critical issues of ICT regulation
⢠Government aggressively tries to use a reform to get huge
revenue â sharesâ and licensesâ overcharges
⢠Example: 3G Licenses
⢠In Germany 6 licenses were sold for a total of 50 billion Euro (2001)
⢠The total worldwide market volume for mobile networks of 50 to 55
billion Euro in 2002 and 2003.
⢠The license fee in Germany - 558 Euro/inhabitant (Auctions)
⢠At Norway only 10 Euro per/inhabitant (Contest)
⢠Such a low investment on the other hand will make an operator
profitable in a short time.
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83. Types of Telecom Regulation
⢠Public ownership
â A part of the public administration
â Public owned corporation
⢠Legislation
â Licensing
â Rights and obligations
â Competition laws
⢠Market incentives
â Taxes and subsidies
â Tradable permits
⢠Self Regulation
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84. Main Objective of Telecom Regulation
⢠Social/Political interest:
â Availability of service and continuity.
â The service should be made available to everyone on
reasonable terms, sometimes whether or not it is
profitable to do so.
⢠Economic interest
â Prevention of monopolistic behaviour to avoid failure,
â Promotion of competition through incentive regulations,
â Use of scarce resources in an efficient way.
â The services should satisfy the full range of consumer
demand and be supplied under conditions of optimal
efficiency
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85. Network Neutrality
⢠Network neutrality is the principle that
â Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications
they use on the Internet. It is about equal access to the Internet.
â Broadband carriers should not be permitted to use their market power to discriminate
against competing applications or content.
⢠Need for clear definitions for Technology, Service, and Network neutrality
guidelines.
â Technology Neutrality is basically the principle that rules should not discriminate in favor
of any technology.
â Service neutrality is that rules should not discriminate in favor of any particular service.
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86. Network Neutrality
⢠The notion of Net Neutrality arose because of concerns that broadband access providers may discriminate against certain services,
applications or content (and/or the companies that provide them), particularly where those services may compete against the âcarriersâ
own services.
⢠Such issues may occur if service providers (i.e. broadband access) have an incentive to engage in discriminatory behavior, particularly if;
â Competition is not sufficient to prevent discriminatory practices or
â Content and application providers do not have sufficient size to negotiate with the access providers.
⢠Opponents of net neutrality regulations often argue that such provisions are a âsolution in search of a problem;â that there is no evidence
of widespread abuse.
⢠They also argue that the market will naturally constrain bad behavior, that access providers ability to manage traffic is critical to running a
network efficiently and that net neutrality provisions may actually reduce access providersâ ability to offer innovative packages and
services.
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87. Regulator
⢠Management of scarce resources (spectrum, numbering, right of way)
⢠Responds to the challenges made possible by new technologies that will
raise the need for a new regulation, e.g. privacy concerns IPR etc.
⢠Manages the evolving markets made possible by convergence
⢠Develops guidelines
â For dealing with disruptive technologies,
â On how to protect public interest,
â For resolving impediments in existing regulations.
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88. Types of Regulators
⢠Single sector regulator (Oversee only one sector, e.g. telecoms)
⢠Converged sector regulator (Oversee several inter-relating sectors
e.g., Telecoms, broadcast, electronic payment)
⢠Multi sector regulator (Oversee sectors with common economic
and legal characteristics e.g., telecoms, water, energy,
transportation. Under one umbrella)
⢠A competition authority (no regulator as such but apply
competition and anti trust rules)
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89. Regulatory Organization Structure
⢠The collegial body:
â A board or commission composed of multiple members.
â Here individuals are with different expertise, more independent, but development of
regulation may be slower due to internal wrangling
⢠The single regulator:
â Often led by a chairperson or president.
â Single regulator has benefit of consistent approach to regulation and decision making.
â They can act quickly but can be influenced by external actors. he/she may not be able to
match the expertise of the collegial body
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90. Characteristics of a Good Regulator
⢠Accountability
⢠Transparency
⢠Predictability
Example of services to regulate
⢠Local services
⢠Domestic long distance service
⢠International long distance services
⢠Mobile
⢠Internet services
⢠Leased lines
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91. Best practice for setting up a regulator
⢠Regulators must be independent to be seen as transparent and
accountable.
⢠Regulators should have the expertise to assess and make sound
judgements on both technical and industry specific issues.
⢠Regulators must take into account various view points and interests,
including economic, social and political objectives. there should be checks
and balances.
⢠The institutional design, internal structure and administration must be
sufficiently flexible to allow the regulator to respond to market realities.
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92. Governmentâs Responsibility
Must grant the regulator structural, financial and functionality independence
⢠Structural:
â Free from political and industry capture to ensure transparency and objectivity.
⢠Financial:
â Funding should be free from private and political interests.
â The regulator should manage its funds and also have multiple ways of sourcing for funds
⢠Functional: The regulator should be independent in;
⢠Making and enforcing rules,
⢠Dispute resolution powers, clear rule involving appointment,
⢠Removal and mandate of regulatory authority,
⢠Incentives to promote professional expertise of staff,
⢠Adequate provisions to address ethical and conflict-of-interest-concerns.
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93. Impact of ICT & Media Convergence
on Regulatory Frameworks
⢠As convergence takes a firm hold in the communications industry, the process raises
specific regulatory challenges given the merging of firms, and facilities.
⢠Adapting regulatory frameworks to convergence is not an easy task.
⢠Traditional frameworks were designed for an era when clear functional differences existed
between services and infrastructure and were not designed for the this new environment of
converged networks and services where functional differences no longer exist.
⢠Governments cannot and should not favor one technology, one network, or one service
over another, nor should any operator restrict the use of any technology, network or
service.
⢠Countries around the global have taken vastly different approaches to convergences
starting with how they regulate Internet communications.
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94. Regulatory Framework Checklist
⢠Regulators need to ask certain questions to make sure their frameworks are up-to-date.
⢠Does the regulatory framework facilitate the provision of different services over different
platforms?
⢠Does the regulatory framework support full competition?
⢠Does the regulatory framework allow service providers to offer multiple services?
⢠What are the regulatory policies for these new technologies and services with regard to
numbering, spectrum, universal service, emergency services and interconnection?
⢠Does the countryâs legal framework contain the necessary legislation to support an ICT
environment (e.g., intellectual property laws, computer crime, electronic transactions,
data privacy and security)?
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95. Elements of an effective regulatory
framework
⢠Implement a well-defined and consistent regulatory framework for
telecommunications, broadcasting, and ICT.
⢠Regulatory framework must give regulator the authority and means
to effectively define and apply regulations in a market.
â These characteristics are important, especially in markets where
incumbent operators have extensive political and financial power.
â Framework must provide for regulatory flexibility to adapt to the
unanticipated needs and use of new technologies and services
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96. International Frameworks
⢠Countries have made global and regional commitments to open the telecommunication market
to foreign investment
⢠They also make commitments to harmonize legislation with those of other countries in similar
geographic or economic situations (e.g. Budapest Convention on Cybercrime)
â The advantage of this is the development of global or regional regulatory best practices.
â It can also grant the telecoms investor a level of certainty and predictability of the
regulatory regime in the country he or she wants to be a part of.
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97. World Dialogue on Regulation for
Network Economies
Mission:
⢠to facilitate an international dialogue that
generates and disseminates new knowledge
⢠on frontier issues in regulation and
governance
⢠to support the development of network
economies
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98. World Dialogue on Regulation for
Network Economies
Activities:
⢠Research on priority policy/regulation issues
⢠Dialogue â www.regulateonline.org
- e-brief
⢠Expert Forum Meetings
⢠Reports
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99. World Dialogue on Regulation for
Network Economies
Reports
⢠The Next Step in Telecom Reform:
ICT Convergence Regulation or Multi sector
Utility Regulation ? (2003)
⢠Stimulating Investment in Network
Development: Roles for Regulators (2005)
⢠Diversifying Participation in Network
Development (2006)
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100. World Dialogue on Regulation for
Network Economies
⢠Institutional Partners
â infoDev, World Bank
â IDRC Canada
â LIRNE.NET
â Research Partner University Centres around the
world
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101. Summary
⢠Technology is always faster than regulation â Convergence is already here and there will be
further developmentsâŚ
⢠Regulations are necessary to adapt new innovations and challenges (e.g., VOIP, social media,
mobile money, etc).
⢠Frameworks adopted must support competition and there are necessary checks to in place to
ensure accountability and transparency
⢠Tariffs, interconnectivity, scarce resources, transparency, Quality of service, Universal Access
and Services are some of the areas regulated in telecommunications
⢠Telecommunication is regulated to promote its social and economic benefits to citizens of a
country
⢠A regulator must be independent to function properly
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102. Some References
⢠John Hagel III, John Seely Brown, and Lang Davison, October 2008. The world is in constant disruption â new technologies create new
platforms âShaping Strategy in a World of Constant Disruption,â Harvard Business Review,.
⢠Jeffrey R. Immelt, Vijay Govindarajan, and Chris Trimble, The big emerging markets provide good chance for disruptive technologies
âHow GE Is Disrupting Itself?â Harvard Busness Review, October 2009.
⢠Branston, G. and Stafford, R. 2010. The Media Studentâs Book. 5thedition. Oxon: Routledge.
⢠Castells, M (2010) The Rise of the Network Society, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell p xvii
⢠Deuze, M. 2005. Cultural Convergence in the Creative Industries: Understanding the Changing Nature of Media Work. Conference
Papers â International Communication Association, 2006 Annual Meeting, pp.1-28.
⢠Giddens (2006) Sociology, 5th Edn, Cambridge: Polity Press â Chapter 2 Globalisation and the Changing World â pp 31 â 71
⢠Jenkins, H. 2006. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. New York: New York University Press.
⢠1. Levi-Faur, David, Regulation and Regulatory Governance, Jerusalem Papers in Regulation and Governance, No.1, 20101
⢠Ritzer, G (1008) âIntroductionâ in Baudrillard, J (1998) The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures, London: Sage, p ix
⢠Slattery, M (2003) âRisk Society â Ulrich Beckâ, in Key Ideas in Sociology, Nelson Thornes pp 255 â 260
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