In many OECD countries, a primary longer term issue is how to provide universal service in the new competitive environment where voice is ubiquitous and cheap, voice revenues low and where voice has become just one of many applications provided on networks.

Significant changes in the structure of the telecommunication market have occurred since the introduction of competition in the sector. Now, companies are competing in all market segments and more importantly, competition is developing between companies, which use different network platforms...

This paper examines the question of whether the scope of universal service should be widened to include broadband. A common concern in OECD countries is that some groups without access to highspeed broadband networks, such as those residing in rural and sparsely populated remote areas, will be...

The development of broadband access to the Internet is gaining increasing prominence. This is occurring in fields that go well beyond communications policy. One reason for this is the role advanced communication capabilities may have played in generating higher growth in productivity rates, as...

This report updates developments in terms of the roll out of broadband access in OECD countries. It does not aim to provide a definitive description of the technological alternatives or the applications for which it is being used but rather to highlight developments in relation to the leading...

The report reviews progress on the availability of broadband access across the OECD area. It particularly focuses on benchmarking digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable modem expansion and availability, as well as the emergence of broadband wireless as a platform to provide low-cost...