Cave M., Crandall R. (eds.) Telecommunications Liberalization on Two Sides of the Atlantic

Washington, D.C.: AEI-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies, 2001. — 98 p. — ISBN10: 0815702310; ISBN13: 978-0815702313.The 1990s witnessed a major revolution in telecommunications policy in North America and Europe. The electronics revolution swept the world, and most countries began to realize that they could not compete in many markets without a vibrant, competitive telecommunications sector. As a result, the European Union, Canada, and the United States launched major new liberalization policies aimed at opening all telecommunications markets to competition. This report presents two views of the progress towards competition —one for North America and one for Europe. The authors provide an overview of the market structure on both continents prior to the 1990s, discuss significant regulatory changes during that decade, and analyze changes in rate structures and competition that have occurred since liberalization. They conclude with a look at the present and future impact of the Internet and other new technologies on the telecommunications industry.ForewordTelecommunications policy in North America and EuropeTelecommunications policy reform in the United States and CanadaBackground
The U.S. Telecommunications Act of 1996
Long-Distance Competition in the United States and Canada
Local-Exchange Competition in the United States and Canada
The Wireless Sector—Competition without Regulation
The Political Consensus behind the U.S. Telecommunications Act
ConclusionsThe liberalization of European telecommunicationsThe EU Telecommunications Regulatory Package
Implementation of the Package in Relation to Fixed-Line Services
Implementation of the Package in Mobile Services
Looking Ahead: The 1999 Communications Review
Looking Ahead: Crucial Issues
Conclusions