Regulatory Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Regulatory Theory - Essay Example In fact, before these far-reaching reforms, telecommunication service provision remained a monopoly of state corporations or in rare cases, was monopolized by private entities. Due to the fact that the provider of telecommunication services in most cases was the government, the regulation of this sector was never quite independent since, all the policy-making and regulatory powers lay with the government and its agencies (Welfens, 2010). Therefore, the management of telecommunication frequencies and the responsibility of operating networks were a preserve of the government of the day (Davidson et al., 1986). For many developed countries, this classical approach to ICT management was quite profitable for some time, given that the increased international tariffs for telecommunication services covered for the subsidized local tariffs. In addition, with the decreased telecommunication cost that resulted from technological advances, the classical approach to ICT operations did well for mo st developed countries (Welfens, 2010). Unfortunately for the developing and the underdeveloped countries and regions, the classical approach to ICT operation did not work well. The reason for this scenario being that these countries’ networks were somehow restricted to major cities and towns, implying that only the middle and high socioeconomic status citizens could access and utilise ICT services in these countries. While the low socioeconomic status citizen had to make do with poor quality telecommunication services and long waiting lists, the high-income end of the population were advantaged by the cross-subsidisation of ICT prices (Welfens, 2010). Regrettably, the classical approach to ICT regulation did not generate investment income for the developed and the developing countries alike. During the 1980s and the 1990s, the role of telecommunication in the economic growth of countries and the entire world became rather apparent, leading to the development of a number of r egulatory and competition polices, even though to a limited extent, in many countries (Koops et al., 2006). Besides, regulating competition, the regulatory and competition policies were expected to instill dynamism, innovativeness, augment availability, accessibility and increase ICT choices and lower tariffs for customers. The first effect of the wave of ICT reforms that peaked in the 1990s was the privatisation of telecommunication service operators. The second effect of the ICT regulatory policies was the introduction of new varieties of services such as mobile telephony and value-added services (Koops et al., 2006). This paper thus explores the need for the regulation of ICT, whether regulation works in the interests of the public and the implications of convergence and innovation on ICT regulation. The Importance of Regulation That the core role of regulation in any industry is to enable sustainability, growth and development is quite apparent and cannot be overemphasized. Ther efore, the information and communication technology sector, like the other sectors of an economy, requires a strong legal framework and regulatory mechanisms to function for the betterment of the public. A number of reasons have since been identified to underlie the need for the regulation of information communication and technology. Generally, ICT the need for ICT regulation arises from the recently observed structural changes in the communication industry. The transformation of the industry from a monopoly to a competitive one in many a country has particularly necessitated its stronger regulation (Baldwin et al., 2012). Therefore, the regulation of the ICT sector has been particularly important in the creation of an effective environment for fair competition that supports both

Global warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 8

Global warming - Essay Example (1). The term global warming does not merely connote to an increase in the temperature but also envisages an overall climatic change. Because of this change in temperature and climate, economy, human health, and the ecosystems can encounter drastic consequences. The main pollutant to atmosphere that contributes to global warming is carbon dioxide, which causes warming in atmosphere. Other pollutants such as fossil fuel, methane gas and green house gases also are act as warming agents. Unfortunately, human beings are the ones who cause this imbalance between life and earth and the consequences have already reached disastrous proportions. CO2 emitted from â€Å"power plants and vehicles† play a crucial role in increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere (Wang & Chameides 36). Certain other human activities that entail degradation of wild life, â€Å"spread of homes and infrastructure† and sinking of costal land also adds pace to the process of global warming (Wang & Chameides 36). Global warming triggers killer heat waves, drought, forest pests, wildfires and contributes to rising sea level, shrinking snowpack, disappearance of glaciers, disintegrating polar ice, melting permafrost damage to coral reefs, shifting species rang es and yearly cycles and disease outbreaks (36). Besides, it also causes considerable harm to the ecosystem apart fro damaging agriculture and animal habitats. In addition, increase in atmospheric temperature may result in death of life forms, including human beings, due to the unbearable heat and drought. Wild fires can cause loss in â€Å"forestry, agriculture, and electric power sectors† (Wang & Chameides 36). High rates of evaporation may result in an increase in water vapor in air, which can cause heavy rainfall and flooding. Intense evaporation may also entail loss of moisture from soil and consequently droughts can occur (36). Evidence further points to the fact that over the course of 20th century, sea level has