A Study of Telecommunications Universal Service Policy
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Niou, Shinn-Ren
Abstract
Theories of policies on universal access and universal service in telecommunications have been developed in various perspectives, yet a systemized and integrated paradigm is not available to serve as a criterion for policy making. Following principles of public policy making from the perspectives of welfare economics, public choice theory, and new institutional economics, this research uses present policies on universal access and universal service to study the rationale of policy making and its targets, served users and its range, and choice of policy Instruments. Through a systematic framework and references of policies on universal access and universal service in telecommunications from the US and UK, it is expected that this research could spot out deficiencies in current policies and provide a reference to future policy making in Taiwan.
The research results demonstrate that the rationale of policy making is grounded in economic, political, and social factors whereas the scope and objective of policies are defined by availability, affordability, and accessibility. Developments of telecommunications and states are prerequisites for policy changing, yet changes are not requisite. From the perspective of served users, current framework is designed on efficient distribution of resources and reduction of improper market interferences. The framework of defining service range, restrained by unstableness of technology, remains flexible, and is examined by procedural and regular investigation in order to prevent haphazard changes. Revision of policies on universal access and universal service in telecommunications reflects the incompetence of policy tools and their changing process. There are deficiencies in utilizing either market mechanism or governmental mechanism, which result in an ambiguous distinction between market and government when proposing policies. The direction of revision is confined by formal and informal systems, which limit the choice of policy tools to the interplay between existing system and stakeholders, compromising the choice of policy tools and revision of policies on minimized trading costs.
Based on the research results, it is suggested that 1) the disparity of policies on universal access and universal service in telecommunications can be amended through including affordability and accessibility; 2) served users and range should be based on costs, effectively distinguish target groups, strengthen competitive mechanism, maintain technology neutrality, and reinforce the participatory mechanism of stakeholders; 3) the universal service fund should be improved and crystalized; 4) other mixed policy Instruments should be developed; 5) usage of compulsory policy Instruments should be reduced, management skills are to be strengthened, and market mechanism should be maneuvered.
Subjects
Telecommunications Policy
Universal Service
New institutional Economics
Public Policy Instruments
Universal Service Fund
Type
thesis
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