Are Cost Models Useful for Telecoms Regulators in Developing Countries?


Book Description

As developing countries build up their capacity to regulate privatized infrastructure monopolies, cost models are likely to prove increasingly important in determining the efficient cost of providing a service to a certain area or type of customer. But cost models require reliable information, which is often scarce in developing countries. Census data and the location of wire services together may help provide the minimum information a regulator needs to implement a cost proxy model, a promising regulatory tool for assessing the efficient cost of providing a utility service.




A Model for Calculating Interconnection Costs in Telecommunications


Book Description

The proposed cost model takes into account most features characterizing the development stage of telecommunications networks in Sub-Saharan Africa (small size of fixed network, importance of rural telephony, excessive reliance on microwave technology, explosive demand for mobile service, and weak regulatory capacity)."--BOOK JACKET.




Business Models for Sustainable Telecoms Growth in Developing Economies


Book Description

A little more than 3 billion people have access to basic mobile telephony, with 48% living close to or below the poverty line. These people, the so-called ‘mass market’, lack access to basic communications technology. An ongoing issue facing communications providers is how to facilitate and promote communications access to those who live in rural areas of developing economies. The authors utilize their considerable ‘hands on’ experience of working in successful telecommunications companies in order to address the challenges of creating, facilitating and maintaining sustainable telecommunications growth in developing nations. With this focus in mind the authors present a snapshot of these countries through real life case studies. Sustainable Telecoms Growth in Developing Economies: Presents innovative and sustainable business models to address telecommunications adoption in developing countries. Identifies the inherent drivers and barriers in the mass-market adoption of mobile services in developing economies. Discusses the impact and importance of telecoms in developing nations including customer needs and Internet-based services. Highlights the current state of communications in such markets. Includes real-world case studies and interviews with telecoms CEOs from all over the world. The author team provides decision makers, professionals, and application developers in IT, telecommunications and media with a thorough understanding of the current state and future evolution of sustainable telecommunications in developing countries. The book will also be of interest to advanced students in electrical engineering and telecommunications, analysts, and consultants with an interest in growing economies.




Taxing Telecommunications in Developing Countries


Book Description

Developing countries apply numerous sector-specific taxes to telecommunications, whose buoyant revenues and formal enterprises provide a convenient “tax handle”. This paper explores whether there is an economic rationale for sector-specific taxes on telecommunications and, if so, what form they should take to balance the competing goals of promoting connectivity and mobilizing revenues. A survey of the literature finds that limited telecoms competition likely creates rents that could efficiently be taxed. We propose a “pecking order” of sector-specific taxes that could be levied in addition to standard income and value-added taxes, based on capturing rents and minimizing distortions. Taxes that target possible economic rents or profits are preferable, but their administrative challenges may necessitate reliance on service excises at the cost of higher consumer prices and lower connectivity. Taxes on capital inputs and consumer access, which distort production and restrict network access, should be avoided; so should tax incentives, which are not needed to attract foreign capital to tap a local market.




Telecom Traffic and Investment in Developing Countries


Book Description

In 1997 the U.S. Federal Communications Commission ordered sharp reductions in international settlement rates (bilaterally negotiated rates for telecom traffic between pairs of countries) for telecom traffic between the United States and the rest of the world. Even the very poorest countries, with the least developed telecommunications networks, must slash rates for traffic to the United States by 2003. Will this, by reducing telecom revenues in developing countries, reduce investments in those countries' telecom sectors?







Regulators and the Poor


Book Description

The United Kingdom generally fights poverty directly - through the government's benefit system - and not through utilities. But Bristish regulators have taken certain measures that help utility consumers (mostly, but not always, poor consumers). Other countries may be able to copy some of their techniques.







Telecommunications Challenges In Developing Countries


Book Description

Alternative implementation strategies are also considered, with an eye to practicality for developing countries. It concludes that the concept is feasible, and the study further provides ideas for piloting the concept in a limited number of countries."--Jacket.




OECD Review of Telecommunication Policy and Regulation in Mexico


Book Description

This publication reviews the telecommunication market in Mexico, examines the current policy and regulatory framework of the sector and puts forward proposals for reform in order to develop competition in the market.