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Policies are the
general objectives and directions set out by governments. Regulations
are intended to put the policies into effect. Regulators administer and
enforce the regulations. There will be variations in policies,
regulations and the role and structure of the regulatory authority
according to the decisions of each country�s government.
Traditionally,
telecommunications was a regulated government owned and operated
monopoly. In the past several decades, there has been a
major shift to an open marketplace
which has seen the
emergence of multiple service providers and often intense competition
resulting in reduced rates and increased service offerings to end users.
The benefits of competition are undeniable as there are many examples of
limited telecommunications environments that have experienced tremendous
growth in the number of subscribers and expansion in the range of
services offered within short timeframes once competition was allowed.
At the same time,
regulators have wished to see service provided on a basis of
universal access
and not just in those areas where it is profitable. This has resulted in
various approaches to universal service funds which aim to subsidize the
delivery of services where they would otherwise not be profitable so
that populations in such areas are not disadvantaged.
Many of the seminars
and workshops conducted by the ITU over the years include presentations
on policy and regulatory topics. These should be scanned for specific
documents of interest to someone working in this area.
Accessing Workshop Programs and Content.
The complete program and presentations for past and upcoming events may
be accessed here:
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ITU-D Workshops and Seminars
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ITU-T Workshops
and Seminars
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ITU-R Workshops and Seminars
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