The WTO and Global Convergence in Telecommunications and Audio-Visual Services

Provides a consolidated legal analysis of the convergence phenomenon between telecommunications services and audiovisual services in the international trade arena.

This edited collection consolidates research on current and future perspectives of international trade law applicable to telecommunications services and audiovisual services in a context of convergence. This research lead the editors to draw a tentative set of issues to be discussed in the context of the Doha Round of negotiations.This edited collection consolidates research on the current and future perspectives of international trade law applicable to telecommunications services and audiovisual services in a context of convergence. It is divided into three main parts. The first part analyses the current regulatory framework applicable to telecommunications services in the context of the WTO, including the controversial issues of accounting rates and international competition rules. The second part discusses and analyses the current regulatory framework applicable to audiovisual services. The third part analyses convergence from different angles, including an explanation of convergence in technical terms, as well as reviewing the legal and economic consequences of convergence for trade in telecommunications and audiovisual services. This research lead the editors to summarize the findings made in the chapters and to draw a tentative set of issues to be discussed in the context of the Doha Round of negotiations.