QUESTION 7-1/1 – Report on innotative solutions for the management and financing of universal service and universal access policies
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
FINAL REPORT
Introduction
1 Study of the issue
    1.1 Objectives
    1.2 Methodology
    1.3 Relevant information sources and working documents
2 Developing a universal access/service policy
    2.1 Principles of universal access/service policies
    2.2 Defining universal service/access
    2.3 Policies tailored to needs
3 How should universal access/service be financed?
    3.1 Cost evaluation
        3.1.1 Principle of evaluation of the cost of the universal access/service obligations
        3.1.2 Methods of calculating net cost
        3.1.3 Calculating intangible benefits
    3.2 Comparison of financing mechanisms
        3.2.1 Service obligations
        3.2.2 Cross-subsidization
        3.2.3 Access deficit charges
        3.2.4 Universal access/service funds
    3.3 Innovative management and financing solutions
        3.3.1 Tripartite financing partnerships
        3.3.2 Capacity for generating funds internally
4 How should universal access/service be implemented?
    4.1 Implementation
        4.1.1 Technical implementation
        4.1.2 Implementation by one or more operators
    4.2 Control by the national regulator
    4.3 Review of universal access/service arrangements
5 What key factors determine the success of national experiences?
    5.1 Political will and sector reform
    5.2 Public-private-civil society partnerships
    5.3 Involvement of local groups and rural communities
    5.4 Opportunities created by collective access to telecommunication services
6 Conclusions
Annex A – Guidelines
Annex B – Work schedule of rapporteur's group
Annex C – Programme of seminar on universal access/service
References