TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION AND CABLE TV INFRASTRUCTURES IN THE EUROPEAN-UNION - CURRENT POLICIES AND FUTURE-ISSUES

The present regulatory framework established at European Community level does not yet address the issues of telecommunication services provided over cable TV networks or broadcast services provided over regular telecommunication networks. The convergence of communications technologies, and in particular the integration of cable TV and telecommunications infrastructures, is, however, at the heart of the future information society. This article concludes that the establishment of an appropriate European regulatory framework, which takes account of this phenomenon, is urgently required. The main issues to be addressed by such a framework include cross-ownership and competition, interconnection of networks, regulation of service level and equal access to third-country markets.