A Review of Market Openness and Trade in Telecommunications

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, to begin a policy and regulatory evaluation ofdevelopments in telecommunication market openness following the liberalisation in 1998 in the context ofthe WTO agreement and the liberalisation in the European Union. Second, it is aimed at stimulatingreflection on the issues that may need to be examined to enhance market liberalisation and marketopenness. Although a full assessment of recent market opening may be too premature, there arenevertheless indications of areas where further consideration and action may be required. In additionmarket developments are raising a number of issues which are likely to become relevant in the event thatthere are further discussions on market opening in the context of any future WTO service negotiations. Asa paper aimed at beginning discussion and reflection, a number of questions are raised which could be usedby delegations to provide their own assessment of issues and future problem areas which needconsideration.