The GATS negotiations provide scope for Member countries to address a broad range of trading impediments in telecommunications. In general, the extent to which countries are obliged to eliminate these impediments depends on the entries made in their schedules of commitments.
Countries seek better commitments from trading partners in negotiations.
Rules on domestic regulation were also covered. Many of the participants in these negotiations signed up to a Reference Paper containing a set of legally binding pro-competitive regulatory principles. The current services negotiations are an opportunity to build on the outcomes of the 1997 negotiations and also cover value-added services. We will be seeking to further eliminate impediments to telecommunications trade. Increasing the level of commitment to the Reference Paper among Members.