Home

Dialogue 2002 Archives

Discussion Papers

WDR 0201
WDR 0202
WDR 0203
WDR 0204
WDR 0205
WDR 0206

Rationales for Convergence and Multisector Regulation 
R. Samarajiva, & A. Henten

WDR Discussion Paper 0204

The objective of this paper is to critically examine the multiple rationales for ICT and media convergence regulation and multisector utility regulation. With regard to ICT and media convergence, there is focus on the policy and regulatory issues raised by convergence developments at the technical and market levels (convergence regulation), while in the case of multisector regulation, emphasis is on the institutional aspects (regulatory convergence). However, substance and form are interrelated. Multisector regulatory institutions are based on joint cross-sectoral technical and market-based developments and common regulatory issues with respect to infrastructural utilities. In the paper, the conditions that may affect the creation of convergence and multisector regulation, ranging from underlying commonalty of inputs and the behavior of regulated firms to considerations that are specific to the regulatory process such as scarcity of regulatory resources and safeguards for regulatory independence are, therefore, examined.

Keywords: Multisector utility regulation; definitions of industry, sector, multisector; rights-of-way; shared conduits; utility communication infrastructure; shared use of regulatory resources; sector reform; technological trends; Convergence; Sectoral convergence;  convergence regulation; convergence in content; convergence processes; convergence services; regulatory implications; developing countries; infrastructure and content; converging infrastructure; sectoral scope; regulatory scenarios; technology neutral regulation.

Download Paper WDR0203

Download PDF - 237 KB

Download MS Word - 316 KB

Document Date:
April 2002
Authors:
Samarajiva, Rohan and Anders Henten
Discussion Paper No.: 
wdr0204
Pages and file size:
19 pages, 237 kb
Title:
Rationales for Convergence and Multisector Regulation
Collection Title:
World Dialogue on Regulation for Network Economies.