Governing telecommunications and the new information society in Europe

Book abstract:

The world of telecommunications changes very fast. However, increasing moves over the years towards regulating the more competitive markets in the telecommunications industry within Europe has become evermore apparent. In a series of major changes that began in the eighties, the industry was transformed from a series of state-based monopolies into a system of free trade and growing 'Europeanization'. This book offers a multidimensional perspective on this difficult area within EU (European Union) law, in order to deal with its many aspects, problems and complexities.

After the introduction, the book is split into two parts, each containing several essays from various contributors. Part one, on the telecommunications policy framework in Europe, consists of work telecommunications in terms of the relationship between Europeanization and Globalization, barriers to entry in the markets for European telecommunications, the tensions over national and European regulations, specific telecommunications policies in Portugal and Spain, and the bases of electronic communications policy throughout the EU. Part two turns to the question of establishing new and innovative regulations for the European information society. It assesses the role of the internet, policy instruments, technology in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) industries, platforms for the development and promotion of the information society, and the overall dilemmas facing telecommunications technology.