Against the backdrop of rapid and unpredictable change, the regulatory framework must avoid built-in obsolescence even before it reaches the statute book. In terms of networks and infrastructure, the UK is already well placed. There is established competition in telecommunications and mobile networks and digital broadcasting platforms. The networks are in place and the investment made. Their economic value lies in the traffic on them.
Access is a deregulatory issue.
The test must fit the facts. But where they share the incentive to prefer their own services over others' and where the market will support only a few such network or gateway operators, then reasonable access conditions should apply. Competition is a necessary condition for the delivery of diversity in output. It has brought a great expansion in choice in both radio and television. Large scale spending on original output requires a guarantee of large audiences.