The theme for this year’s
Global Symposium for Regulators being held in Poland from 3-5 July, 2013 is ‘4th-Generation Regulation: driving digital communications ahead.’The consultation process focuses on 3 areas:
• Regulation 4.0: Innovative and smart regulatory approaches fostering equal treatment of market players, stimulating services uptake and access to online services and applications without putting extra burden on operators and service providers (co-regulation, self-regulation, smart incentives, etc.);
• The evolving role of the regulator: the regulator as a partner for development and social inclusion;
• The need to adapt the structure and institutional design of the regulator to develop future regulation.
Competitive provision of broadband networks:
‘We acknowledge that when adopting a regulatory framework that eliminates barriers to new entrants, ensuring the inclusion of competitive provisions that guarantee healthy relationship between all players (operators, Internet providers, OTT providers, etc.), is one of ways to promote the deployment of next -generation broadband networks and access to online applications and services.’
‘Regulators also need to review existing competition laws to determine whether measures
based on regulation or competition law are already in place and whether they adequately address the issues that tend to impact net neutrality.’
‘We acknowledge the importance for regulators to understand all parameters at play in a digital environment to ensure not only affordability of access but also the need to guarantee a certain level of quality of service (in particular for communications that are sensitiv e to time delay), the need for interoperability, without putting extra burden on operators and service providers.’
‘We notably recognize that encouraging operators and service providers to propose and implement ways in which they can develop the sector may stimulate innovation and provide for a win-win solution for both the state and the industry . Regulation should ensure the sustainable development of the ICT sector that is essential to attracting the investments needed in a global digital environment.’
On Regulation for Universal Access and Digital Inclusion:
‘We recognize that stimulation of service uptake and access to online services and applications requires flexible regulatory approaches. We acknowledge that understanding people’s n eeds and how they can benefit from using ICTs is key to innovation , as both business and individual consumers are providers of incentive s for innovation . We encourage governments to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and in particular the industry and regulators to facilitate and support the development of infrastructure and provision of services, particularly in rural, unserved and underserved areas . From the supply side , predictable and stable regulations are needed to maintain effective competition and drive the development of innovative services. From the demand side, measures such as deferring heavy or special taxes on ICT equipment and services, encouraging research and development, endorsing special programs to stimulate e-literacy, will result in higher penetration, increased demand , better social inclusion and contribute to national economic growth. Governments and regulator s have a key role to play in promoting and increasing awareness on the use and benefits of ICTs.’
‘Regulators can also act as a partner for ICT development and social inclusion, by facilitating (and sometimes creating ) partnerships, such as private-public-partnerships (PPP), with aid-donors, governments, ministries and other NGOs , in particular to meet universal access goals to ICTs for rural , remote and unserved areas and people with special needs. Regulators can further extend partnerships with schools and local communities through projects for improving the connectivity of schools and communities to enhance use of ICT applications in addition to providing access to technology and promote economic development. We also encourage partnerships with other public agencies to offer a coordinated approach for the benefit of the government and the community, as a whole. The regulator may further provide advisory and educational assistance to local communities .’
During this symposium, the session on Universal Service will focus on “Maximizing the Potential of Universal Service Funds through Successful Administration and Management – Addressing the Missing Link” The discussion paper for this session is a study on Universal Service Funds which is summarized in a
presentation by Lynne.A.Dorward.
It is remarkable how much convergence there is on best practices, lessons learned and way forward. Significantly, the presentation highlights that we must look beyond mere connectivity to also look into special needs of persons with disabilities, women, indigenous people etc and focus on providing access to ICTs in a conducive and culturally acceptable manner. The recommendations for Universal Service Funds rightly focus on a comprehensive approach which takes into account tapping into linkages between all types of stakeholders including other public agencies and funding sources to provide a comprehensive solution to ensure digital inclusion.
I think this is pretty much on the same lines as what I have been trying to communicate through my previous posts. Once again I am happy and proud that the
Indian USOF has been praised for high level of transparency, visibility and accountability to all stakeholders.
In my view the way forward for USOF could be captured pictorially as follows:
