Diversifying Participation in Network Development

This report, from the World Dialogue on Regulation (WDR), assesses different approaches to telecom regulation in a rapidly evolving environment. The report highlights the Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies (LIRNE)'s research, analysis, and case studies elaborating on inclusive and pro-poor strategies for extending telecom infrastructure to all sectors of society.

The book is divided into three sections.
1) "Affordability and Use" includes a study on affordability - definitions, analysis and issues; two demand side studies - the first focusing on mobile use by the poor and the second assessing communication expenditures across four developing countries; and a final chapter on a survey of information and communication technology (ICT) use by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in eight African countries.
2) "Models to Extend Participation in Network Development" considers micro finance, smart subsidies, community-owned microtelcos (small business technology centres offering internet and voice access) and the extension of research networks. The countries used to highlight these alternative approaches include Bangladesh, Nepal, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Ghana.
3) "Regulatory and Information Practices" begins with two chapters dedicated to the information provision and communication practices of regulators, used for cultivating informed participation in regulatory processes. Next, regional regulation in support of national regulators and to ensure competitive markets is examined using the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States as a case study. Further perspective on this is provided by a chapter on multinational operators in African mobile markets. The section concludes with a case study on the regulatory environment in Guyana.