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An assessment of the equality of access and no-regulation approaches to next generation networks

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  • Brito, Duarte
  • Pereira, Pedro
  • Vareda, João

Abstract

The European Commission believes that for the regulation of next generation fixed telecommunications networks the continuity approach is preferable to the equality of access approach and the no-regulation approach. According to the European Commission, (i) functional separation eliminates discrimination and promotes competition, but should only be used as a measure of last resort because it involves various complex trade-offs, whereas (ii) the no-regulation approach fosters investment, at the cost of sacrificing competition. The article agrees that functional separation involves complex trade-offs but disputes the assertion that functional separation necessarily eliminates discrimination and promotes competition. In addition, the article also establishes conditions under which the no-regulation approach does not reduce competition.

Suggested Citation

  • Brito, Duarte & Pereira, Pedro & Vareda, João, 2011. "An assessment of the equality of access and no-regulation approaches to next generation networks," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(9), pages 818-826.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:35:y:2011:i:9:p:818-826
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2011.04.015
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    Cited by:

    1. Howell, Bronwyn, 2014. "Separation anxieties: Structural separation and technological diffusion in nascent fibre networks," 20th ITS Biennial Conference, Rio de Janeiro 2014: The Net and the Internet - Emerging Markets and Policies 106840, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    2. Howell, Bronwyn, 2014. "Structural Separation and Technological Diffusion," Working Paper Series 4353, Victoria University of Wellington, The New Zealand Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation.
    3. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Gugler, Klaus, 2013. "The deployment and penetration of high-speed fiber networks and services: Why are EU member states lagging behind?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 819-835.
    4. Rajabiun, Reza & Middleton, Catherine A., 2013. "Multilevel governance and broadband infrastructure development: Evidence from Canada," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 702-714.
    5. Fabian Queder, 2020. "Towards a vertically separated broadband infrastructure: The potential role of voluntary separation," Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, , vol. 21(2), pages 143-165, June.
    6. repec:vuw:vuwscr:19314 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Howell, Bronwyn, 2014. "Structural Separation and Technological Diffusion," Working Paper Series 19314, Victoria University of Wellington, The New Zealand Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation.

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