Questionnaire on Question 7-2/1: Regulatory policies on universal access to broadband services

Introduction to the Question. Expected results.

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (Doha, 2006) approved Question 7-2/1, entitled "Regulatory policies on universal access to broadband services".

The aspects to be examined in this Question, and their regulatory implications, are the following.

–           The Question will study aspects relating to ways and means of promoting economic development by universal access/service, especially in respect of broadband services.

–           These new technologies raise new economic challenges. Tariff structure and economic strategies must be examined in order to assess their impact on incentives for operators to invest in all areas, including unserved areas.

–           Unbundling of local loop access and interconnection between wired and wireless systems, as well as national roaming and site sharing in the case of mobile systems, are also subjects that it is important to examine.

–           The identification of ways and means of promoting universal access/service in respect of broadband services will also be addressed by the Rapporteur's Group.

–           The Question will analyse how competition in related markets can promote investment in broadband networks.

The following results are expected from the examination of this Question:

–           regulatory policy aspects linked to broadband services and technologies, in particular a summary of the experience acquired by telecom regulators in implementing universal access to broadband services in their countries;

–           specific universal access aspects with regard to management of access and interconnection agreements and methods of financing universal service;

–           aspects to keep up the technological neutrality principles inserting broadband access services within the universal services package;

–           aspects relating to best practices in seeking funding sources and developing innovative financing mechanisms for accelerating universal access/service development in rural communities;

–           aspects relating to ways and means and solutions for promoting universal access/service in respect of broadband services.

The Rapporteur's Group on Question 7-2/1, at its meeting in Geneva 22-23 March 2007, decided to send the questionnaire below to the Member States, Sector Members, and regulatory authorities of the Member States, in order to compile the information required for the final report on the Question.

In drawing up this questionnaire, the Rapporteur's Group took care to avoid duplication with the annual regulatory survey of BDT Programme 1, or with the more technical questionnaire on Question 20-2/2 ("Examination of access technologies for broadband telecommunications") that has already been sent to the Member States. Those survey results are also of interest for Question 7‑2/1, and may be consulted directly at the source.