Internet Governance Panel Public Policy Questions for Internet Governance

Today’s Global Communications Sector Industry Deregulation Competitive suppliers operating in an open market Reserve national regulatory powers to ensure open market behaviour and fairness outcomes consistent with national objectives Private Sector activities Market dynamics of providers and consumers Moderation of the market through competitive supply disciplines Demand determines supply Few international regulatory levers Public Sector activities Balancing of national interests in a common framework International Agencies Inter-Governmental Treaties Coordinated Regulatory Recommendations This slide notes that the communications sector has undergone quite fundamental change over the past decade, and the historical model of regulated national public sector monopoly service providers is being replaced by a model of private sector investment in service provision, where the strictures of competition are intended to mediate supply and demand. The general intent is to support a more flexible, efficient and effective communications sector which is focussed on meeting customer needs in the most effective manner possible. The public sector involvement transforms into one which oversees the competitive market, ensuring that attempts to apply distortions to the market can, ultimately, be corrected through the actions of public oversight. The role of service provision is passed into the private sector in a manner that supports competitive supply in all facets of the supply function.

The Big Policy Question Do the institutions and roles that already populate this public inter-governmental space collectively form the best vehicle to support this international public policy setting role going forward? or Is there sufficient momentum and interest to consider fundamental changes to this model that more accurately reflect the evolving roles and aspirations of both the public and private sectors? Should we stop looking for instant answers and continue to work within a framework of many players with intersecting interests for some time yet? In this context, what then is the role of international public policy setting? In this form of market-mediated supply functions, are international issues being progressively transformed into aspects of international trade? Does such an environment provide adequate protection for developing economies? Are social priorities being adequately considered in such a framework? This leads onto a more basic question of whether the existing international institutions, such as the ITU, appropriately positioned to meet these public policy challenges, or should we be considering changes here in order to bring the international institutional framework into better alignment with the emerging information society?

On the Road To Tunis … What are the spectrum of expectations related to the outcomes from WSIS? What expectations represent achievable outcomes? What is the most appropriate way to balance local or national requirements and expectations against conflicting expectations and broader common constraints? What is “fairness” and “balance” in this context? What are the risks and opportunities when considering changes to the current structure?