World Dialogue on Regulation

Lead Centre: Comunica - Contact: Amy Mahan

The elements of this theme are two sides of the same coin. Simply put, effective participation in regulatory and policy formulation and decision-making implies that actors and stakeholders have the information necessary to make informed choices and demands. Conversely, good regulatory practices are not created in a vacuum, but rather evolve and respond to existing local needs and conditions – which are made evident by stakeholders participating in policy and regulatory processes.

Regulatory institutions are charged with effectively balancing the demands of different stakeholders. Especially in a post-privatisation context, the telecom regulatory environment is a constantly changing and evolving terrain. Regulatory information and communication practices are key to assessing the progress, innovation and telecom development efforts at a national level.

This thematic area focuses on information provision practices and communication with stakeholders, including consumer and pro-poor policy advocates, and is concerned with the processes and conditions affecting how informed and effective participation is encouraged by the regulatory authority.

Because of new technologies, it is increasingly possible to broaden participation in the regulatory process, enabling a broader range of contributions to discussions of priorities and strategies to achieve the goals set within national ICT policy frameworks. Further, given of the importance of ICTs to national economies and to local poverty reduction, the participation of those who stand to benefit from new opportunities will encourage sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Two issues are particularly important for this research area:

1. broadening the scope of what constitutes a stakeholder; and
2. identifying and assessing traditional and new mechanisms for promoting meaningful and productive participation for all stakeholders.