Re-thinking Universal Service Policy for the Digital Era: Setting the Scene

Purpose: Introduction to the concepts related with universal service and to the papers in the special issue about "Re-thinking Universal Service in the Digital Era". Design/methodology/approach: This special issue aims to provide support to the policy process with regard to universal service in a digital context. The papers in the issue highlight developments that are shaking up the current universal service model. They consider universal service from a set of different dimensions, encompassing both demand and supply side considerations. Also a comparative outlook draws lessons from a representative set of existing regulatory models. Findings: The foundations and concept of universal service are experiencing a profound transformation as we enter into a new phase of information society development. A new set of policy goals and tools is the main consequence of this change. Originality/value: Timely account of the universal service policy debate. Paper type: General review Keywords: Universal service, e-Inclusion, broadband, mobile, next generation networks, spectrum management

FEIJÓO GONZÁLEZ Claudio;  MILNE Claire; 

2009-01-22

Emerald

JRC46885

1463-6697,   

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContainer.do?containerType=JOURNAL&containerId=11365,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC46885,   

10.1108/14636690810904661,