Our areas of expertise
- Regulatory design and reform: The network nature of the telecommunications industry means that it is likely to continue to require regulatory oversight, even if some of the services provided over these networks are supplied competitively. The development of an appropriate regulatory strategy involves the identification of market failure or competition restrictions: the design of appropriate remedies, their implementation and the regular review of changes in market conditions, which, in turn, may lead to further reform.
- Network access, interconnection and costing: The determination of the appropriate network access and interconnection charges has been one of the most controversial issues in the telecommunications sector over the past decade. The issue is highly sensitive because incorrect access and interconnection charges may create perverse incentives for network use and deployment, and frustrate the development of efficient competition.
- Auction design and bidding strategies: Technological advancements in the telecommunications industry and the spread of the internet and broadband communications (GPRS, 3G, FWA, VoIP and so forth), have generated a growth in demand for wireless services and a need for policy advice on the most efficient and competitive way of providing existing and new services. The increase demand for services requires the design of processes for the allocation of any given amount of spectrum between different uses and users. Telecoms and media operators have also required help in assessing the value of different licences (including 3G and additional 2G licences), and in developing appropriate bidding strategies in the face of significant uncertainty and intensifying competition.
- Competition policy and business strategy: Competition and merger cases in the telecommunications sector have gained in importance with the increasing strength of competition (both service and network competition), the increasing convergence of the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and the associated tendency towards de-regulation of the sector. The progressive decrease in the importance of ex-ante regulation increasingly requires the application of ex-post controls to the behaviour of companies in the sector.
BACK
Printer friendly
