Friday, January 05, 2007
Why telecom is so different
What is the special fascination with telecom regulation? Why is telecom regulated differently from other industries?
That was the question asked of me, only somewhat rhetorically, a few weeks ago by a telecom carrier executive.
Why do we still need to have a government body, the CRTC, that cares so much about regulating incumbent carriers? More than any other industry, why is telecom so heavily regulated?
Why don't we simply let the cable companies and phone companies fight it out and let the customers benefit from the pricing bloodbath?
Right.
That scenario isn't going to happen for a whole bunch of reasons that I would be pleased to discuss. Over the holidays, I was working on my February lectures to the 2007 class for the University of Toronto Master of Engineering in Telecommunications. My notes on the subject of regulation in a competitive market framework are still fresh. I would be happy to share my views.
In the meantime, those executives can still dream of a future world with no specialized telecom regulation. After all, there are a lot of kids who will return to school next week with a firm belief in Santa.
Technorati Tags:
telecom policy
That was the question asked of me, only somewhat rhetorically, a few weeks ago by a telecom carrier executive.
Why do we still need to have a government body, the CRTC, that cares so much about regulating incumbent carriers? More than any other industry, why is telecom so heavily regulated?
Why don't we simply let the cable companies and phone companies fight it out and let the customers benefit from the pricing bloodbath?
Right.
That scenario isn't going to happen for a whole bunch of reasons that I would be pleased to discuss. Over the holidays, I was working on my February lectures to the 2007 class for the University of Toronto Master of Engineering in Telecommunications. My notes on the subject of regulation in a competitive market framework are still fresh. I would be happy to share my views.
In the meantime, those executives can still dream of a future world with no specialized telecom regulation. After all, there are a lot of kids who will return to school next week with a firm belief in Santa.
Technorati Tags:
telecom policy
Posted by Mark Goldberg @ 1/05/2007 07:59:00 AM 
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The ironic thing is that there is absolutely nothing different about regulating telecom at all.
My usual answer is: sure, we'll end telecom regulation the day after we do away with securities regulation. And we'll stop regulating energy only moments later.
My usual answer is: sure, we'll end telecom regulation the day after we do away with securities regulation. And we'll stop regulating energy only moments later.
Posted by 
: 9:29 AM, January 05, 2007
: 9:29 AM, January 05, 2007
"Anonymous" couldn't have said it better. That telecom exec should take a look at any Eonomics text book to find the answer to his question. Alternatively, he could attend your lectures at U of T. If he's so surprised by it or concerned about it, he should move to another industry because, as "Anonymous" tried to say, it comes with the territory.
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Posted by : 9:46 AM, January 05, 2007
: 9:46 AM, January 05, 2007 << Home
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