U.S. may block pact on opening of worldwide telephone markets

Article Abstract:

A global pact to open cable and telephone markets to competition is close to completion, but the US may block it for not going far enough. While the US and the European Union have deregulated their phone service markets, many other countries maintain monopolies and have restrictions on foreign companies entering their markets. Telecommunications giants AT&T, MCI and BT hope to move into new markets around the world, especially in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Canada, the US's closest trade partner, is one country that refuses to accede to FCC pressure. One major point of contention is the rates many countries charge to make international phone calls, the revenue from which is used to subsidize other services. Most European nations no longer employ this practice, and the US has disallowed American carriers from paying such charges. While the US does not have veto power as such, access to American markets is so important that US trade negotiators have great influence over other nations.

Telephone Communications, Telephone communications, exc. radio, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, International aspects, Government trade agreement and tariff regulation, Telephone services, Telephone systems, Telephone system

---

German digital TV deal is blocked by regulators

Article Abstract:

The European Commission has ruled against a proposed alliance between German media giants Bertelsmann AG, Deutsche Telekom AG and the Kirch Group. The alliance aimed to forward advanced television services but EU regulators felt the alliance would be an unacceptable monopoly. Last ditch attempts to reach an agreement failed and there are questions about what will happen to the large amount of programming which the Kirch Group had licensed.

Comment:

EU regulators block proposed German advanced television alliance

Government regulation (cont), Germany, Specialized Telecom Services, Cable Networks, Motion Picture and Video Distribution, Cable TV Networks, Legal/Government Regulation, Television Program Syndication, Internet services, Deutsche Telekom AG, Bertelsmann AG, Cable networks (Television), Kirch Group, Television syndication, Article

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The book on retirement. Bound for the Internet. A novel enterprise
• Abstracts: Justice Dept. vows scrutiny of Bell deals; a goal of competition in local phone markets. New effort to settle data issues; struggle is seen for Gore and Congress
• Abstracts: The talk of cyberspace. Market opening on Internet for pollution-credit trades. Forging links between inner cities and the Internet
• Abstracts: No big deal? PCS is coming. And there may be a lot less to it than you've been led to believe. Court grants stay delaying PCS auction; ruling seen as major blow to set-aside program for minorities, women
• Abstracts: Web concern gets patent for its model business. Internet hide and seek. Despite a new plan for cooling it off, cybersex stays hot

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.