REGULATORY AND POLICY CHALLENGES IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

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Lesley Russell
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1 REGULATORY AND POLICY CHALLENGES IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE The Conference - MCA Malta; 28 TH January; 2011 Nigel Hickson Department for Business, Innovation and Skills UK Government

Agenda What we have achieved - and must not forget or reverse But real current challenges - for both policy makers and regulators Competition Universal service

2 Agenda What we have achieved - and must not forget or reverse But real current challenges - for both policy makers and regulators Competition Universal service for Broadband Net Neutrality Spectrum availability and harmonisation Internet governance and Intermediaries Data Protection UK Strategy on Broadband Our role..

3 Some Context Market is king so our role? Not always right but important role Global perspective lacking? History is and will judge us So important that we do this stocktake

4 What have we achieved 10 years ago we did not have a harmonised Communications Framework in the European Union; There was dominance by incumbents and little real competition There was little coordination of spectrum allocation (especially in EU) No-one knew who really ran the Internet.. We still had no single market in e-commerce But markets are still fragile; competition uneven;

5 Current Challenges for Policy Makers and Regulators Competition and Investment Universal Service for Broadband Net Neutrality Spectrum Data Protection Internet Intermediaries Internet Governance Open Internet

6 Competition and Investment Transition of Copper to Fibre Important we get it right; some are not Critical opportunity only one shot Cannot rely on Infrastructure Competition Mobile Market changes needed? Wider competition issues in value train

7 Universal Service for Broadband Broadband is key.. But supply or demand? Important we get it right! In UK 9 million adults do not use Internet how many in your country? Each country at different stage of development; EU beware! Commitment not obligation Will come back to UK.

8 Net Neutrality Are we at start, middle or end? EU Framework was a good start Very different place than US But competition not total answer Business holds keys (like they did on Roaming) Will BEREC stand up? Will ITU regulate?

9 Spectrum Debate is national; solutions global We must not revert to command and control But we cannot duck issues; Economic and social issues Users will have to demonstrate value and use

10 Data Protection Debate to re-surface globally EU review crucial; but signs are ominous Not just debate between security and civil liberties; Legislators need to smell coffee and understand Clouds; Global approach required!

11 Internet Intermediaries International approach generally followed EU model; Roll played by ISPs and like critical role often overlooked Success of E Bay; Amazon and Facebook relies on liability protection; erode at peril OECD debate important Threats from civil (Copyright) and security (terrorism) interests Social and Economic issue

12 Internet Governance A true global issue; not a technical talking point; No less than future of Internet (and associated political, social and economic implications) Balkanisation not beyond imagination Is mantra if it ain t broke don t fix it sustainable; Agreement at ITU (PP-10) and in UN (IGF mandate) positive; but debate ongoing. ICANN and IANA next critical steps Debate we should all be part of

UK Strategy on Broadband Commitment not obligation Supply and Demand (Race on-line 2012) Linking of basic to fast Broadband Market to do two thirds of

13 UK Strategy on Broadband Commitment not obligation Supply and Demand (Race on-line 2012) Linking of basic to fast Broadband Market to do two thirds of users UK Commitment to be best 530m in 5 years Projects and Trials under way; lessons being learnt Village pump concept; and pump priming not simple payment;

14 Our Role Policy makers need to talk, but also think; Need to look forward to next 10 years; Cannot pre-empt market but need to be aware of where going Think globally; step out of EU bubble And come back in another 10 years!

15 Questions and Discussion

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