Convergence and new regulatory frameworks: a comparative study of regulatory approaches to Internet telephony

A study was conducted to investigate how telecommunications policy makers and regulators in the European Union, Japan, the US and Singapore have managed challenges brought about by Internet telephony. Internet telephony was characterized as an archetype of convergence growth in the communications industry. Results indicated that the countries' policies on Internet telephony correlated with current regulatory frameworks designed for basic communications services. Findings also showed a number of uncertainties associated with convergence in the industry.