Publication: Internet Access : Regulatory Levers for a Knowledge Economy
Date
2003-03
ISSN
Published
2003-03
Author(s)
Mustafa, Mohammad A.
Abstract
Internet access depends on four critical
players: First, providers of telecommunications
infrastructure (bandwidth capacity) for international access
to the global Internet backbone. Second, providers of
national long-distance telecommunications transmission
capacity (such as leased lines) to connect Internet service
providers (ISPs) with one another and with international
connectivity nodes. Third, providers of local loop access
(narrowband and analogue, such as traditional copper wire
connections, or broadband and digital, such as digital
subscriber lines [DSL], cable television modems, and fixed
wireless service). Fourth, ISPs, which provide Internet
services to customers using these layers of networks.
Expanding Internet access requires cooperative behavior by
these players, and regulators have a key role in ensuring
such behavior. A regulatory strategy for doing so focuses on
promoting the telecommunications infrastructure, enabling
viable ISPs, ensuring efficient pricing, maintaining
appropriate service quality, supporting diffusion in remote
areas, and ensuring legal certainty for electronic
transactions. Promoting the telecommunications
Infrastructure - competition is key. So regulators should
take a permissive approach to licensing multiple financially
sound providers (owners and resellers) of telecommunications
infrastructure for international connectivity, alternative
national long distance networks, and local loop access. To
ensure competition in the ISP market, regulators should
require no formal licensing for ISPs; simple registration
should suffice.
Citation
“Mustafa, Mohammad A.. 2003. Internet Access : Regulatory Levers for a Knowledge Economy. Viewpoint: Public Policy for the Private Sector; Note No. 256. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/b0abf3b1-2747-53bc-99e6-2484047b41ff License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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