Fundamental Regulatory Issues in the Era of Digital Convergence

 

Title
Fundamental Regulatory Issues in the Era of Digital Convergence
Author
Jyh-An Lee
Keywords
digital convergence, NCC, FCC, Communications Basic Law, Telecommunications Law, layered model, technology neutrality
Abstract
With the advancement of the Internet and digital technologies, digital convergence
has become a significant trend in the communications industry. In terms
of technology, digital convergence means the integration between different digital
products; it also symbolizes the vertical integration between different communications
industries. Nonetheless, digital convergence has brought rigorous challenges
to the existing regulatory framework, which divides up the landscape
based on traditional services and technologies. Moreover, such convergence may
enable businesses to further leverage their market power to neighboring markets,
and, thus, lead to antitrust concerns. In order to cope with regulatory issues with
regard to digital convergence, the Taiwanese government just enacted Communications
Basic Law, and established the National Communications Commission
(NCC). This paper not only portraits the challenges facing NCC, but also introduces
some potential regulatory responses, such as layered model and technology
neutrality doctrine.
Abstract Article

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