Telecommunications Policy Research Conference. International Comparisons I (Europe) Section. Papers.

Three papers consider telecommunications policy in Great Britain and Germany specifically, and the nations of the European Economic Community generally. The first paper, "German Telecommunications Law and Policies" (Ernst-Joachim Mestamacker) outlines the present structure of telecommunications in West Germany, and discusses deregulation possibilities in light of the present legal situation, a recent government commission report, and the impact of Common Market rules and policies. The second paper, "British Telecommunications in Transition" (Jeremy Tunstall) (abstract only) examines British telecommunications policy against the wider background of Thatcher government efforts in communications deregulation, and argues that deregulation only "succeeds" in those areas of communications where there are already dominant national "champions" such as the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). The third paper, "Efficiency and Social Policy in Telecommunication: The Diversity of European Approaches" (William Melody) (abstract only) suggests that despite efforts at deregulation, the primary force influencing telecommunications will continue to be the policy decisions made by the underlying administrative superstructure. It argues further that policy relating to market competition is simply one element in the total package of policies available to achieve national political, economic, and social objectives. The original paper then reviewed different approaches being taken by European countries and contrasted them with developments in the United States and Canada. (Author/EW)