Liberalisation and Regulation of International Trade in Telecommunications Services Through the WTO

Abstract

This chapter is the first step of the intended comparative analysis of the approaches to regulation of markets in social interest that exist at the international level. This chapter studies the origins and the process of liberalisation of trade in telecommunications services at the international level within the framework of the WTO. It identifies the reasons for the adoption of regulatory provisions and focuses in particular on the socio-political issue of universal service. In this regard, it analyses specific features of the current regulatory framework for universal service at the WTO level in the light of the recent jurisprudence of the Dispute Settlement Body. Additionally, the chapter investigates the relationship between the rules of different international organisations (WTO and ITU) relevant for universal service in telecommunications. It also undertakes three country studies in order to better understand the interplay between the WTO regulation and national regulation of universal service provision.