Every time new networks interconnect, the value of a given network increases exponentially. This applies to stockbrokers electronically trading shares of Fortune 500 companies in New York City as well as to rural women lining up to use a village mobile phone in Bangladesh, Tour added. Effective interconnection frameworks also provide benefits to a host of other key actors. Network operators benefit from increased demand. Workers benefit from increased employment.
Economies expand, and governments benefit from increased tax revenues.
Societies overall benefit from new applications for health, education, and democratic outreach. Regulators and policy makers understand the importance of interconnection, but face many tough decisions in implementing interconnection regulations and policies. Interconnection Regulation is the third edition of the annual ITU report on sector restructuring. In addition to identifying the key issues raised by interconnection regulation, it includes best-practice examples of how regulators and policy makers from around the globe have tackled major interconnection challenges. In addition, it includes valuable interconnection reference materials, such as interconnection guidelines published by several regional regulatory organizations and provides website links to many other useful sources.