Broadband universal service: A future path for Europe?. (28th December 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bohlin, Erik; Teppayayon, Orada
• Is Part Of: International journal of management and network economics. Volume 1:Number 3(2009)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2009-12-28
• Subjects: European Union -- universal service concept -- statutory principles -- EU broadband policies -- broadband availability; Business networks -- Periodicals; Econometrics -- Periodicals; 338.805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-2316

Abstract

Encouraging broadband availability to all end-users is one of the priority policies of government around the world. In the EU, several policies have been initiated. Among them, the inclusion of broadband in the scope of universal service has been discussed. This paper provides an overview of the current state and trends of universal service with focus on broadband access in the European Union. In particular, a historical overview is given of the universal service legislation and various policies initiatives in the EU, emphasising that future broadband universal service has long-standing antecedents, going back to the 1980s. However, broadening the scope of universal service has many different contexts to be considered, and balancing between contexts must be done carefully.