This study reviews universal service policy in a set of case study countries. It considers the services provided to consumers and the mechanisms for the provision and funding of those services. We find that the scope and definition of universal service varies considerably from one case study country to another. For example, in some EU[…]
The telecommunications sector is characterised by substantial fixed costs and significant economies of scale. In a macrostate this usually does not matter because the main operators function at a point well above minimum efficient scale. But in a typical island state in the Caribbean the main operators usually operate at a point well below minimum[…]
The total cost, number of premises connected and overall net-benefit to the country of a broadband USO for the UK are all sensitive to design choices such as download speed, cost threshold, assumed take-up rates and funding mechanism – so were the findings of Plum’s study for the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG). The BSG is[…]
In 2016, Vodafone New Zealand and Sky Network Television Limited proposed to merge their businesses, and applied to the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) for clearance. Under the New Zealand Commerce Act 1986, the NZCC can grant clearance if it is satisfied that the Proposed Transaction will not have the effect or likely effect of[…]
High quality broadband connectivity for all is central to the European Union’s Digital Single Market objectives. Yet the concept of high quality universal broadband and its relationship to a universal service obligation which includes broadband is ill-defined. In this Insight we set out an economically rational approach for defining and funding universal broadband. This highlights[…]
The date for the referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union has been set. Companies within the telecoms sector, their boards and customers are all likely to be impacted if Britain was to exit – Brexit. Here we provide a short overview of the possible legal and regulatory implications for the telecoms[…]
On 26 January David Lewin and Brian Williamson presented the findings of a study for ETNO at an event in Brussels. The study, now published, considers how best to change the regulatory framework for the electronic communications in the EU. The study makes a number of proposals as to how regulation of fixed broadband access[…]
The EU needs high speed and ubiquitous broadband if it is to deliver additional economic and social benefits to its citizens through the Digital Single Market. This will require major investment in new technologies to upgrade Europe’s telecommunications access networks.
The Netherlands telecoms regulator, ACM, proposed regulation of wholesale access provided by KPN in March 2015. Following the expression of serious doubts by the European Commission in a letter of 30 April 2015, the ACM revised its draft decision in July 2015, but nevertheless concluded that KPN had SMP and proposed price controls on copper[…]
Plum provided advice to an investor in the Canadian telecoms market regarding the impact of new national roaming rules in the mobile market. The CRTC announced that it would regulate national roaming in Canada more strictly, a move which would help the smaller mobile operators which do not hold national spectrum. Plum advised the client on the[…]