Six Degrees of Separation : Operational Separation as a Remedy in European Telecommunications Regulation

Cave, Martin (2006): Six Degrees of Separation : Operational Separation as a Remedy in European Telecommunications Regulation. Published in: International Journal of Digital Economics No. 64 (December 2006): pp. 89-103.

Abstract

Numerous proposals have been made for separation in the telecommunications sector, some of which have been implemented, including the break-up of the Bell system in the 1980s and the widespread implementation of accounting separation. In recent years, attention has been focussed on operational separation. This paper identifies the problem that this is intended to tackle, lists a number of possible variants and discusses experiences in the UK. Having specified the circumstances under which operational separation may be justified, it suggests how provisions for such separation could be made in European legislation.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Institution: COMMUNICATIONS & STRATEGIES
• Language: English
• Keywords: telecomunications; regulation; operational separation
• Subjects: L - Industrial Organization > L5 - Regulation and Industrial Policy > L51 - Economics of Regulation; L - Industrial Organization > L4 - Antitrust Issues and Policies > L41 - Monopolization ; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices; L - Industrial Organization > L9 - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities > L96 - Telecommunications; L - Industrial Organization > L4 - Antitrust Issues and Policies > L43 - Legal Monopolies and Regulation or Deregulation