Adapting Policies and Regulations for Convergence in the Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) Sector: A Comparative Analysis of New
Zealand and the United States
Prepared by Fiona M. Alexander | July 2007 with funding from the sponsors
of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy
Fiona Alexander is a Senior Telecommunications
Policy Analyst for the US Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) in Washington, DC. She develops
and advocates US ICT policy positions in international fora, such
as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
During Fiona's Ian Axford Fellowship in New Zealand, she was based
at the Ministry of Economic Development, where she completed a comparative
analysis of the ways New Zealand and the United States are trying
to meet their national ICT goals in the face of converging technology
platforms.
Abstract
It is incumbent upon policy-makers and regulators at all levels to nurture
an environment that enables competition and encourages investment so that
ubiquitous, affordable access to information and communication technologies
(ICTs) is achieved. Complicating this is the fact that boundaries between
traditional telecommunications and broadcasting transmission platforms
are now converging into one ICT sector. This paradigm shift in communications
requires policy-makers and regulators to re-evaluate existing norms and
conventions with respect to key issues including: facilitating competition;
encouraging investment; ensuring public interest goals and objectives;
and addressing human resource considerations. It is imperative that, when
addressing ICT issues in the context of today's convergence, policy-makers
and regulators be forward-looking and attempt to provide the most flexible
regime possible so as to not stifle innovation.
When considering these issues the New Zealand government need not limit
its policy options to those being implemented in Europe, nor need it wholeheartedly
embrace the United States model. Instead, New Zealand should look to develop
its own way, in accordance with its unique characteristics. This paper
provides a comparative analysis of New Zealand and the United States and
offers 5 recommendations for New Zealand ICT stakeholders to consider
as they move forward with regulatory reforms.
Table
of contents
Acknowledgments
Executive Summary
Introduction
1. Convergence
2. State of play in New Zealand
3. State of play in the United States
4. Comparative Analysis
Conclusions and Recommendations
Bibliography
axford2007_alexander.pdf (482kb)
