Regulatory Framework for Universal Service in India — Can We Learn from EU

INDIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 256 / VOL. LX, NO. 2, APRIL-JUNE 2014

DOWNLOADS: 42

ABSTRACT VIEWS: 281

Abstract

Interventions by way of Universal Service Funds (USF) are considered to be relatively less market distorting among various means used to bridge the access gap in telecommunications. At least in theory, they are not inconsistent with competition and competitive neutrality. However, in practice this has always not been the case. It is the author’s contention that this difficulty arises more from the manner in which USFs are implemented, which in turn depends partly on their regulatory frameworks, rather than from an inherent problem with the concept of USFs. Particularly, in developing countries like India with less than perfectly efficient institutions, appropriate ex ante regulatory frameworks assume importance. To explore if India could take a leaf from the European Commission’s (EC) book as far as universal service regulation is concerned, a comparative study of the impact of the legal frameworks for universal service in India and the European Union has been carried out with the resultant indication being that India could usefully emulate elements of EC’s ex ante regulation.

References

1. C H Alleman , D Michaels , M Mueller , P Rappoport , L TaylorTelecommunications and Economic Development: Empirical Evidence from Southern Africa
2. Retrieved fromBiennial International Telecommunications Society Meeting Posted: 1994-03-11
3. A Capobianco , H ChristiansenCompetitive Neutrality and State-owned Enterprises: Challenges and Policy Options. OECD Corporate Governance Working Papers Posted: 2011
4. Cooper W W Seiford , LHandbook on Data Envelopment Analysis Posted: 2004
5. H S DordickThe Origins of Universal Service: History as a Determinant of Telecommunications PolicyTelecommunications Policy , volume 14 , p. 223 – 233 Posted: 1990
6. W Distaso , P Lupi , F ManentiPlatform Competition and Broadband Uptake: Theory and Empirical Evidence from the European UnionInformation Economics and Policy , volume 18 , issue 1 , p. 87 – 106 Posted: 2006Crossref
7. A EberhardInfrastructure Regulation in Developing Countries: An Exploration of Hybrid and Transitional ModelsAfrican Forum of Utilities Regulators. Proceedings of Annual Conference , p. 15 – 16 Posted: 2006-03-11
8. K A Eliassen , J From , G S Deregulation ; Ford , L J SpiwakPrivatization and Public Service Delivery: Universal Service in Telecommunications in EuropePolicy and Society , volume 27 , p. 239 – 248 Posted: 2004-03-12Crossref
9. H Friederiszick , M Grajek , L H RöllerAnalyzing the Relationship Between Regulation and Investment in the Telecom Sector Posted: 2008-03-02
10. M Garcia-Murillo , B KuerbisThe Effect of Institutional Constraints on the Success of Universal Service Policies: A Comparison between Latin America and the WorldTelecommunications Policy , volume 29 , issue 9 , p. 779 – 796 Posted: 2005Crossref
11. F Gasmi , P Noumba , L R VirtoDoes Political Accountability Matter for Infrastructure Regulation? The case of telecommunications Posted: 2010Crossref
12. A Gautier , X WauthyPrice Competition under Universal Service ObligationsInternational Journal of Economic Theory , volume 6 , p. 311 – 326 Posted: 2010-03-04Crossref
13. A A GilroyUniversal service fund: Background and options for reformCongressional Research Service , volume 33979 Posted: 2011-03-14
14. S GuptaCompetition policy in Telecommunications in India Posted: 2007
15. Cci , GovPosted: 2009
16. W B Heller , M MccubbinsPolitics, Institutions, and Outcomes: Electricity Regulation in Argentina and ChilePolicy Reform , volume 1 , p. 357 – 387 Posted: 1996Crossref
17. H Hoernig , T M ValletiThe Interplay Between Regulation and Competition: The Case of Universal Service ObligationsCESifo Working Paper No , volume 682 , issue 9 Posted: 2002
18. R JainReview of the Indian Telecom Sector Posted: 2001
19. B Levy , P T SpillerThe Institutional Foundations of Regulatory Commitment: A Comparative Analysis of Telecommunications RegulationEconomics and Organization , volume 10 , issue 2 Posted: 1994Crossref
20. Yan L Price , C WEffect of Regulatory Reform of Mobile Telecommunications on Efficiency Posted: 2011
21. P MalikRegulation and Investment Case Study of the Indian Telecommunications Industry Posted: 2004-11-05
22. P Malik , H SilvaDiversifying Network Participants: Study of India’s Universal Service Instruments. Discussion Paper WDR0504 Posted: 2005
23. P MalikIndia’s Universal Service Obligation for Rural Telecommunications: Issues of Design and ImplementationTPRC Posted: 2007-04-14
24. R MukherjeeRegulatory Evolution in Indian TelecommunicationsInstitute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) Working Paper , issue 7 Posted: 2000
25. G Noll Roger , S J WallstenUniversal Telecommunications Service in IndiaIndia Policy Forum Posted: 2006-02-08
26. G Noll Roger , S J WallstenAn Assessment of Indian Telecommunications ReformStanford Center for International Development Posted: 2011
27. R R N Prasad , S Singh , Ram Borgohain , M P Mohan , J Navas-Sabater , A Dymond , N JuntunenUniversal Service Obligations in Telecommunications Sector in India: Effectiveness, regulatory and funding issuesTERI Posted: 2002
28. Scherf ThorstenPolicies for Universal Access to Telecommunications in Rural Areas of Developing Countries-A Comparative Analysis. Institute for Cooperation in Developing Countries at Philipps University Posted: 2006
29. C Sen , A SurajThe Role of legal process,in the redesign of indian governmentbusiness relations. CDDRL working papers , volume 102 Posted: 2009
30. J S SimonRegulatory effectiveness: The Impact of Regulation and Regulatory Other Official Documents ITU (2002a), Document 8, International Telecommunications Union, Global Symposium for RegulatorsStern. J and Cubbin , volume 10 , issue 6 , p. 138 – 151 Posted: 2002
31. International Telecommunications Union, Global Symposium for Regulators , volume 7 , p. 7 – 8 Posted: 2002-12
32. Maria Oecd ; Rauf Gönenç , Giuseppe Maher , Nicolettithe implementation and the effects of regulatory reform: past experience and current issues, Economic Studies Posted: 2001
33. Telecommunications and Information Services for the PoorTowards a Strategy for Universal Service , volume 432 , issue 432 Posted: 2002-02Crossref
34. The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-13World Economic Forum Posted: 2012
35. World Bank , ; N T E N E R G Y / POperational Guidance for World Bank Group Staff Public and Private Sector Roles in the Supply of Electricity Services Posted: 2004-02
36. LinksCrossref