November 2005 | EPI Working Paper #274

A new future for telecommunications policy

Learning from past mistakes

by Elliot Maxwell

This report uses the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to make the case for the urgent need to develop a new telecom policy paradigm.  Maxwell suggests that broadband offers opportunities to expand services, applications, and content, but is hampered by outdated regulations.  He outlines possibilities for a new model of regulations that fosters competition in all layers and encourages entry and investment, while making technology available to the underserved and in rural areas.

This publication is available in PDF format.