European telecommunications liberalisation

Abstract:
Telecommunications is currently one of the most dynamic global industries, with rapid development of new products and technologies. The last twenty years have brought extensive and far-reaching liberalisation, as more and more countries open up their markets. During the last ten years, most of the Member States of the European Union have legislated for full opening of all market segments, while the remaining five look set for further liberalisation over the next few years.

This book examines the process and consequences of telecommunications liberalisation in the context of ever closer European Union. In addition to the issue of the creation of a single market for telecommunications, the industry can be seen as a test case for the privatisation process, as traditionally this sector has been in public ownership.

The first part of the book looks at issues of European integration. Chapter headings include: European telecommunications policies - deregulation, re-regulation or real liberalisation?; Competing approaches to regulation; From PTT to NRA: towards a new regulatory regime?; The European Union content regulation in the converged communication environment. The second part, National strategies in some EU countries, examines liberalisation in Britain, Germany and France, while part three, Liberalisation policies outside the EU framework, includes case studies of the Czech Republic, Israel and Thailand. Part four looks into the future for the technology and the industry. Chapter headings include: Future infocom systems; The global mobile market and regulatory aspects; The value system in telecommunications and the editors' conclusion: Global liberalisation and national adaptations. Contributors are drawn from universities in Europe, the USA and Asia.