Telecommunications Challenges in Developing Countries
Subtitle: Asymmetric Interconnection Charges for Rural Areas (World Bank Working Paper)
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: January 2004
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 39
ISBN-13: 9780821357859
Subjects: Business & Economics; Developing Countries; Development - Economic Development; Telecommunications; Third World Development; Business / Economics / Finance
First sentence: Intelecon Research &amp; Consultancy Ltd. was retained by the World Bank to identify and assess issues, precedents, and potential problems with the introduction of a geographically de-averaged, asymmetric interconnection regime that is based on the principle of geographically disaggregated costs for operators serving rural areas in developing countries.
Description: "The study investigates historic and current examples of asymmetric charges and user tariffs in fixed-to-mobile interconnection regimes today. It addresses a wide range of related issues and questions: customer affordability; customer education and awareness; numbering plan and billing; whether detailed cost models would be required; and whether asymmetric termination charges, while eliminating current market distortions, would create other distortions.

Alternative implementation strategies are also considered, with an eye to practicality for developing countries. It concludes that the concept is feasible, and the study further provides ideas for piloting the concept in a limited number of countries."--Jacket.