Changing technologies are having a profound effect on the structure of the telecommunication and information and communication technology (ICT) sector.  Pricing and cost modeling practices are central to the regulator’s role in fostering a fair, competitive and healthy telecommunication and ICT sector that ensures affordable access to ICTs and promotes investment incentives for all market players. Striking the right balance requires regulators to fully understand and analyze in detail the advantages and disadvantages of different cost models, including their implications for the calculation of cost-based tariffs for regulated retail and wholesale services and the challenges of data collection.  In addition, because of rapid technological development, it is necessary to provide technical staff with sufficient cost modeling tools and knowledge to enable them to understand how to develop their own cost models or to adapt existing cost models to the changing environment.  These key costing issues are among a range of operational issues has been addressed during this two-week Expert-Level Training for national regulatory authorities on cost model development. 

This training organized in coordination with the Economics University of Vienna (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien), took into consideration a step-by-step approach to cost modeling development and offered a series of practical exercises.

For more information on this training please contact the Regulatory & Market Environment Division (RME).

In order to follow up to the recent "ITU Expert-Level Training for National Regulatory Authorities on cost model development", ITU has created a dedicated virtual exchange forum. This forum is intended to allow all participants to benefit from the expertise of the two trainers, Dr. Roland Belfin and Prof. Heinrich Otruba. It will also facilitate interactions between regulators from different countries on topics related to costing of telecom/ICT services.  To go to the forum please go to GREX Virtual Tool for Regulators (http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/grex/) or contact the regulators.hotline@itu.int.