Global: The GSMA wants regulators to “reset competition policy”

The GSMA mobile association has published a report that calls for a reform of competition policy and regulatory frameworks for digital markets. It is the latest action in an ongoing lobbying campaign aimed at overhauling what it sees as outdated regulatory thinking. The report, “Resetting Competition Policy Frameworks for the Digital Ecosystem”, argues that policy makers should review and update their competition and regulatory frameworks to create an environment that will facilitate long-term, sustainable competition and encourage innovation.

The report includes 15 recommendations for change, but you are likely going to need a Masters Degree in telecoms regulator (if such a thing exists) to make sense of it all. They cover market definition and power, the total welfare standard, institutional arrangements, and ex ante and ex post regulation. It goes without saying that this is a must read for those of you of a regulatory frame of mind.

There are numerous regional case studies that detail all aspects of competition and regulation, much of which refers to mergers and acquisitions in the mobile sector. Plenty of coverage is also given to the new business models that have arisen from the so-called OTT internet companies, whose services are still perceived as a threat by the majority of telcos. The two-sided business model is there, next to the even more mind-bending multi-sided model, along with “free” services designed to gain significant market share for new entrants.

Full Content: GSMA

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