This paper compares and contrasts the processes used by the European, United Kingdom and Scottish parliaments in considering broadband policies, legislation, regulatory systems and outcomes, within a complex triple-tiered governance system. Broadband is of increasing importance due to the...

Survey data for the adoption of broadband and the Internet point to significant regional variations in the United Kingdom. While there continues to be growth at the UK level, the adoption of broadband in Scotland and in London appear to have stalled, in contrast to the three other nations. Rural...

Survey data for the adoption of broadband and the Internet point to significant regional variations. While there continues to be growth at the UK level, the adoption of broadband in Scotland appears to have stalled, in contrast to the three other nations. Internet adoption shows a similar...

Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and territories face risks of natural disasters, climate change and are economic shocks. Markets are small and monopolistic or oligopolistic, with few realistic possibilities of further entry. There is insufficient competition to drive prices down to...

The Scottish Government published proposals for the administration of an independent Scotland, its case for a vote in favour of independence in September 2014 and an outline of its manifesto in the Scottish parliamentary elections in 2016. Opinion polls continue to show that only about one...

Telecommunications was one of the first markets to become part of what today comprises the regulatory state, shifting risks and rewards towards the private sector, subject to regulation. Parliamentary has oversight of policies, the regulator and subventions from HM Treasury, which are necessary...

The development of national broadband plans has been used by many countries to join up different areas of governmental and regulatory activities and to set ambitious targets for ubiquitous access to and use of the latest fixed and wireless networks and services. For Scotland this requires...

South Africa has performed poorly in delivering broadband to its citizens, with very limited access and little effort to boost its adoption. It compares badly to the BRICs and to other comparable nations, while having lost its position as African leader. The African National Congress (ANC)...

Like larger states, the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been deploying broadband for several years, with some successes. However, performances vary greatly and availability is often geographically and socially limited. SIDS have special characteristics which need to be taken into...

The United Kingdom has simultaneously created a highly sophisticated regulatory state and devolved significant powers to legislatures in three of its four nations, it has also transferred significant powers to institutions of the European Union. This paper briefly examines how the present...