3G - chance for take-off in mobile

It became clear early on that UMTS, also known as 3G (third-generation mobile phone systems), would be a key technology for profitable markets of the future. However UMTS technology offers some major advantages that can be demonstrated under laboratory conditions but which it will not be possible to use fully in the mass market in the medium term. There is a need for services that emphasise the specific advantages of mobile phones and complement conventional wired services. Business models stand a particular chance of success if network operator, content providers and manufacturers of terminals coordinate the steps they take. In summary it may be said, that it is not certain that UMTS will be a success in m-business, but there is a strong chance.ICT, mobile telephony, UMTS

Institutional and policy reforms in water sector in India: review of issues, concepts and trends

The paper looks at the institutional and policy reforms in the context of sources and uses of water. Although the reform measures have been specific about surface water, there still is ambiguity on the groundwater situation in India. The reforms have failed to de-link the conventional linkages between right to land and right to (ground) water. Most policy reforms have been in response to the emerging crisis of water allocation, use and management. The current perspective towards water has been holistic in nature in contrast to the excessive importance to technoengineering approach that characterized the earlier period of water sector. Further, there have been changes acknowledging the rights of farmers, women and end-users as stakeholders in the whole process of water governance. In this regards, the policy changes have proceeded hand in hand with other reforms in decentralized governance, providing greater emphasis on user participation in decision making concerning water governance.Length: pp.665-678Water governanceFarmer participationInstitutional reformWater rightsProperty rightsWater policy

Innovation policy in the European Union: instruments and objectives

We provide an overview of the specific innovation policies that are implemented at European level, highlighting, where possibile, the connections between these policies and the guidance documents issued by the Community’s institutions. We describe the kinds of policy interventions that are implemented, providing at the same time some useful elements in order to understand the assumptions and theories that underpin them.Innovation policy; European institutions; Lisbon strategy; Structural funds; European research policy; European enterprise policy

An Assessment of Telecommunications Regulation Performance in the European Union

We assess the performance of National Regulatory Authorities across 16 EU countries regarding economic regulation in telecommunications sector, by constructing a so-called Composite Regulatory Performance Indicator for regulatory aspects such as effectiveness of the national regulatory system, effectiveness of the dispute settlement body, general market access conditions and application of remedies in markets for narrowband voice, mobile, broadband and business services. This composite indicator is the output measure used in the DEA non-parametric approach. The computation of efficiency scores allows to rank the NRAs and to detect some room for improvement in terms of efficiency gains for each national authority.technical efficiency; DEA; telecommunications; regulated industries; National Regulatory Authorities; European Union.

Opportunities for private sector participation in agricultural water development and management

Irrigation management / Private sector / Public sector / Public policy / Private investment / Participatory management / Privatization / Financing / Farmers / Households / Water harvesting / Africa South of Sahara

Mobile license renewal : what are the issues? what is at stake ?

A major challenge facing regulators in industrial and developing countries alike is the need to strike the right balance between ensuring certainty for market players and preserving flexibility of the regulatory process to accommodate the rapidly changing market, technological, and policy conditions. This challenge applies across a wide range of regulatory instruments and vehicles including license renewal, which is the focus of this paper. The authors provide an overview of mobile license renewal issues covering the legal regime of license renewal, the renewal process, the non-renewal context, and the changes in licensing conditions, including spectrum implications of the renewal process. They draw best practices that started to emerge in recent renewal practices, to ensure that the renewal process leads to the best outcome for all stakeholders. As much as possible, policymakers and regulators should strive to promote investors'confidence and give incentives for long-term investment. They can do this by favoring the principle of"renewal expectancy,"but also by promoting regulatory certainty and predictability through a fair, transparent, and participatory renewal process. For example, by providing details for license renewal or reissue, clearly establishing what is the discretion offered to the licensing body, or ensuring sufficient lead-times and transitional arrangements in the event of non-renewal or changes in licensing conditions. Public consultation procedures and guaranteeing the right to appeal regulatory decisions maximizes the prospects for a successful renewal process. As technological changes and convergence and technologically neutral approaches gain importance, regulators and policymakers need to be ready to adapt and evolve licensing procedures and practices to the new environment.Industrial Management,Public Sector Economics&Finance,Technology Industry,Urban Economics,Public&Municipal Finance