Stages of universal service policy

Others have drawn attention to the different ways the term 'universal service' is interpreted in different countries and at different times. This article offers a single unifying framework. All interpretations are seen as variations on the theme of 'fulfilling basic telecoms needs', with the differences mainly reflecting the state of a country's network development. Five main stages of development are identified, and the importance of consumer research in the later stages is stressed. Difficulties in determining policy are linked with transitions from one stage to the next. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.