TABLE OF CONTENTS The remainder of this book describes the role and work of regulation in the telecommunications services industry.
Chapter 2 explains the rules and regulations typically applied by way of market intervention, and the reasons for those rules. Chapter 3 covers the legal and administrative frameworks that appoint regulatory bodies and give them the powers they need to function. It also explores the modes of operation of regulation, and some of its problems. Recognising that regulation is a constructive and potentially hazardous activity needing discretion in its execution, Chapter 4 addresses issues of regulatory strategy, including a review of the available methods of price control. The fine detail of regulation, of course, varies not only from country to country but also continuously with time. It is a living process. The purpose of this book is to explain the principles and practice of regulation. It does not, and cannot, provide a detailed statement of any one country's regulation at a point in time.
Chapters 5 to 9 analyse a number of specific issues upon which regulators take action. Many of these have an engineering dimension. These analyses have a threefold purpose: to explain the issues, to show how regulators have dealt with them, and to illustrate the conflicts, judgements and decision-making that are part of the regulatory activity. Technical material is covered in sufficient depth to allow professionals from engineering and other backgrounds to understand the issues. References are generally provided where required for those...
