1. Converging service platforms, trends
Regulatory and policy aspects
Nuno Encarnação, OFCOM(CH)

2. Convergence, seen from ‘regulators’, is to obtain… (informal opinions in a discussion group)
Several services over the same device or network, i.e.
more information society and communications services like traditional telephony, TV/radio distribution
on a single communications platform (e.g. Internet), infrastructure or device
and/ or
The same service over several devices or network, i.e. 
any particular service
from different/ several or multiple platforms, infrastructures or devices, e.g. TV or telephony services over Internet, IPTV, satellite, DSL, HFC

3. Exemples
Many mobile phones may, with a fixe, satellite or mobile access
receive radio and TV
exchange s
access Internet and reach many Information Society Services [ISS]
… or simply call someone else
Information Society Services
Content preparation for radio et TV broadcasting
Multimedia services other than transporting information
The printed press and other information
Telephony applications, SMS, MMS excluding transport
Access to databanks, public documents, media contents and other remotely offered services up to the distribution interface
Interactive services (as far as transport is excluded)
e-voting, e-health, e-learning, e-banking,…
e-government, e-voting, e-tax declaration, blogs, etc.

4. Radio HD …

5. Which seems comparable to…
Radio HD
Which seems comparable to…
From ITU-T rec. Y.2240
But…
Information society services (ISS, contents, applications) are typically in the user layer but may also be seen as resources for communications platforms, depending on the situation, if they are ‘exposed’ (publicly available?) or not; user generated contents and applications are in the same situation as the ISS…
… to be seen in a case by case basis

6. Users, services and resources
Communication services (transport of information) increase their independence from infrastructures and resources, since the same service may be provided over several supports
Information Society Services (ISS) and users/consumers increase their independence from communication services and infrastructures due to the greater offer in these domains
As mentioned above, contents and applications (ISS) may be seen in the user cluster/ layer or (in the case of being ‘exposed’ on the platform offer) in the resource cluster/ layer…
… clear universal borderlines among users, communication services and resources do not yet exist!

7. Issues and opportunities (related to standardization issues)
Service providers have increased data from their clients
Services will be tailored for users (opinion scores do help!), offer and demand tend to better match covering particular user’s and societal needs
Security is a critical component (who has access to what information)
Personal data protection: providers have detailed users’ profiles
Content protection right: access, usage, copy and distribution
Service and network protection: no disturbance, only for recognized clients
System specific solutions may impair the right of the user to choose (and change) the supplier and delay the evolution…
standardized offers are welcome…
Increased competition (incl. FTTH) and data exchange (more available services) will require technology decisions (e.g. switch-off analog TV)
The reproducibility of multiple-play offers should be checked (new comers to have comparable opportunities, no discrimination)

8. Impact Different society sectors have mutual influence
Users/ consumers and content providers have more choice
Actor’s behavior change
The impact on public policy and economy is important
Authorities should survey tightly the different sectors’ evolution … and verify if law application needs adaptation
There is a great amount of risks and opportunities … ‘video killed the radio stars…’
But the core of the revolution is e.communication platforms
What information (voice, video…) to transport from whom to whom
Under which conditions… which are the risks and opportunities?

9. The e.communication service is…
Note: Swiss law is independent but in general tries to evolve taking in account EU regulatory and policy concepts developments
[partial copy of EU Framework Directive 2002/21/EC, art.1c] means a service …which consists …in the conveyance of signals on electronic communications networks, including … telecommunications services and transmission services … for broadcasting, but exclude services providing, or exercising editorial control over, content transmitted using electronic communications networks and services; it does not include information society services…
[copy of the Swiss art. 3.§b of the SR , Telecommunications Act, TCA] telecommunications service means transmission of information for third parties by means of telecommunications techniques.
Art.1 of SR Federal Act on Radio and Television recognizes TCA as the relevant law for transmission aspects.

10. Law comparaison EU - CH CH (Acts) Theme EU (Directives) RTVA + TCA
A comparison between Swiss and European legal frameworks may help
CH (Acts)
Theme
EU (Directives)
RTVA + TCA
Communications infrastructures
R&TTE + ECNS Directives
Communications services
ECNS Directive
RTVA (Title 3) [backed by TCA]
Radio and TV transmission
‘Linear’/ ‘live’ in
RTVA
Media
‘Live’ & ‘on-demand’
AVMS Directive
The increasing independence among sectors (infrastructures, communication services and information society) may imply stronger splitting their legal handling
Note: A ‘EU green paper’ online distribution of audiovisual works discusses distribution rights aspects

11. Visions and trends
A ‘total communication for all‘ (‘e-accessibility’), may mean the future inclusion in the concept of Universal Service of…
Synchronized transmission of audio/ voice, video, text and other data (subtitling, sign language, audio description, files… aggregation) for:
(video)-telephony, radio, TV and access to Internet conversational/ interactive (possibly aggregated) services
The control function of networks and services…
Is moving to application layers and management centers, often out of the control of the traditional telecom service provider
A good part of liability and editorial shaping of the contents…
Is moving to end-users
A part of media policy…
Is moving under the control of business interests

12. Some essential supporting items for service platforms
ICT services need to check following very generic items (needs of standardization to be specified per new service … even if new services result from the aggregation of earlier ones)
Localization: user local, emergency calls, regional/ local services (including emergency alarms, cell broadcasting… fix and mobile)
Interoperability, interconnection and public access, all interfaces should ensure interoperability, standardized solutions are welcome
Quality: when too much required (in the law), it limits competition… if it is too low, functionality is questionable, may be unacceptable…
Security: network, services, contents (owner, distribution, access rights), personal data protection, children and special social groups content protection, identification, authorization, lawful interception…
Environment compatibility: emc and rational use of the spectrum (air/ radio, cable and fiber)… but also… rational usage of energy resources and materials (including recycling)