IP Democracy: ITU Telecom World: No Clear Messages

The U.N’s ITU is holding its big annual meeting, ITU Telecom World 2006, in Hong Kong this week and from the sounds of it the various government officials speaking at the event are talking in shades of gray…or at the least are giving mixed messages. The New York Times’ Victoria Shannon has this article today about how China’s government officials are reluctant to commit to a timetable that would bring 3G mobile services to the underserved country.

Tech vendors are the most eager to see the Chinese government select a standard and adopt an approach for advanced mobile wireless service. The vast Chinese market would be a motherload of riches once the build-out begins.

Public Integrity’s Drew Clark (formerly of National Journal fame) has a more interesting piece about how government regulators from around the globe differ on their approaches to telecom regulation. Speaking at the ITU forum, Vivian Reding, the European commissioner responsible for information society and media, dismissed the approach of relaxing regulations to provide carriers with the incentive to build out next-generation networks, which happens to be the policy adopted by the U.S. FCC.

Taking a jab at the U.S. approach to telecommunications, Reding said, “When we look at fiber by incumbents, the mere installation of a new technology cannot, in itself, change the application [of rules]. That is why the European Commission rejects regulatory holidays for next-generation networks.”

But outgoing ITU Secretary-General Yoshio Utsumi advocated less, not more, regulation.

“My personal view is that less and less regulation is necessary. The reason why the telecommunications industries were heavily regulated was that it was a monopoly dominated by a monopolistic service provider,” Utsumi said.

“Telecommunications is the hub of the society and it was a public utility, and there were many reasons to protect users from abuse of power,” he said. “However, telecommunications services are becoming more and more normal commodities. I may be wrong on this, but it becoming an ordinary thing due to competition. The reason or basis for regulation is becoming less and less” necessary.

One common theme of the event is how to bridge the digital divide and deliver more Internet access to the world’s poor regions. Henry Tang, financial secretary in the government of the Hong Kong, said that this is one area where government should step in.

“It is squarely government’s responsibility to reduce this digital divide in a modern and progressive society,” said Tang.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on December 5, 2006 9:08 AM to IP Democracy