BACKGROUND

Access to ICTs is optimized in countries with effective, competition-centered, market-friendly regulatory frameworks that support and sustain both ICT investment and diffusion, and thereby benefit consumers. But implementing such a framework has become more challenging than ever in recent years as the ICT sector continues to undergo major structural changes. Regulators need to manage the transition from old to new ICT environments, which raises a wide range of questions involving the scope of authority of ICT regulatory institutions, approaches to licensing, competition policy, and achieving a level playing field in the new environment. In addition, regulators need to consider how to handle legacy subsidy arrangements, approaches to universal access, and the need for an increased role for market forces in radio spectrum allocation.

In order to respond to the need for practical, relevant guidance and assistance in an ever-changing environment, infoDev, in cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has developed the ICT Regulation Toolkit, as a hands-on, web-based update and expansion of infoDev's successful Telecommunications Regulation Handbook (2000).

The Toolkit is intended to assist regulators with the design of effective and enabling regulatory frameworks to harness the latest technological and market advances. The toolkit has become a trusted resource for policy-makers, regulators and the telecom industry, providing practical advice on issues than range from the role of competition to next generation networks. The publication of the universal access module completes the first phase of development of the toolkit through work continues on uploading and refreshing all of the existing modules.

ICT REGULATION TOOLKIT: Extending ict benefits to all

The Toolkit serves as a practical aid to regulators in addressing the real-world challenges they face. Modules have been launched at a number of international and regional ITU fora and at joint infoDev/ITU sponsored training events. The toolkit covers the following modules:

• Module 1 - Regulating the Telecommunications Sector
• Module 2 - Competition and Price Regulations
• Module 3 - Authorization of Telecommunications Services
• Module 4 - Universal Access and Service
• Module 5 - Radio Spectrum Management
• Module 6 - Legal and Institutional Framework
• Module 7 - New Technologies and Impact on Regulation

MODULE 4 - UNIVERSAL ACCESS AND SERVICE

Universal Access and Services (UAS) has seen massive change prompted by the privatization and liberalization of the telecommunications market in the developed world, and by innovative approaches employed by developing countries. The latter were faced with different sets of challenges to achieve UAS, and in response developed new UAS models. Market liberalization and sector reform not only changed the communications landscape dramatically, but also brought about innovation and new ways to promote and achieve UAS throughout the world. With a new service revolution looming—the broadband revolution—UAS will likely see another major shift in UAS models and approaches.

The primary focus of the module is to guide policymakers and regulators in developing countries regarding the design, assessment, and implementation of universal service, access, or coverage initiatives. The module includes a description and assessment of a range of international practices and provides tools for examining systematically the relative merits of individual solutions. Module users are expected to be generally knowledgeable on policy, economics, and regulation of information and communication, but not experts in universal service, access, or coverage.

The Executive Summary and Universal Access and Service (UAS) module of the ICT Regulation Toolkit is available online at www.ictregulationtoolkit.org. The module covers the following topics in depth:

• Chapter 1 - Introduction to UAS;
• Chapter 2 - Overview of regulatory reform - the first vital step of increasing UAS using market mechanisms and good regulation;
• Chapter 3 - Main approaches and specific UAS instruments, policies, and interventions that policy-makers and regulators can use beyond sector reform;
• Chapter 4  - UAS policy development, its framework and process;
• Chapter 5 - Financing issues related to UAS and financial analyses;
• Chapter 6 - UAS programme development and economic analysis, including for project prioritization;
• Chapter 7 - Competition process of awarding subsidies for the provision of UAS by operators and service providers; and; 
• Chapter 8 - Overview of technology issues and trends that are relevant to UAS.

To learn more about the toolkit or to access the modules, visit www.ictregulationtoolkit.org.