INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
	
	Geneva,  21 March 2000	
	Publication Notice    No.  195-00	

Telecommunication Policies for the Americas
The Blue Book, 2nd Edition, April 2000		

via ITU Website   	
This second edition of the Blue Book is the result of continued coordination and collaboration between the ITU-D and CITEL (Inter-American Telecommunications Commission). The Blue Book has been updated to take into account the rapidly changing telecommunication environment. New aspects addressed in this edition include the Internet and WTO. The Blue Book is intended to provide countries of the region with appropriate guidance on telecommunication reforms and restructuring.
	
Date of publication:	25 March 2000	
Language:	English and Spanish	
Paper format:	About 150 pages – A4 (21  29.7 cm)	
Electronic format:	Word for WindowsTM – Adobe AcrobatTM PDF	
Article number:	English:
Spanish:	17134 
17135 	
ISBN number:	English:
Spanish:	92-61-08381-1
92-61-08383-8	
Price in Swiss Francs:	Catalogue Price:     CHF  50.–
Member States and Sector Members:     –15%
Least developed countries:      – 80%
Electronic Bookshop:    CHF  50.–    (No discount)	

Telecommunication Policies for the Americas
The Blue Book, 2nd Edition, April 2000

I  –  Introduction
Brief historical overview
From monopoly to liberalization and competition
Globalization, technological change and convergence
WTO agreement on basic telecommunications and Reference Paper
II  –  National legislation and regulation
Need for national legislation on the telecommunication and information sector
Policy statement
General considerations
Principles applicable to telecommunication legislation
Roles of the legislature and the judiciary
Regulatory body
III  –  Regulation of the competitive market
Competitive services and facilities-based competition
Public/social interest
Universal service
Price regulation
Interconnection regimes
Interconnection tariffs and network access fees
Regulation of radio-frequency spectrum use in a competitive market
Regulation of broadcasting
Numbering considerations
IV  –  Administrative procedures
General framework for regulatory decision-making
Public notice
Public participation in rule-making and other proceedings
Right of appeal in respect of adverse decisions
Enforcement and penalties
Ethics
Contracts
V  –  Granting and renewal of licences
Prerequisites for granting licences
Renewal of licences
Ethics in a multi-operator environment

Radio-frequency spectrum management policies
Social communication media
VI  –  Internet and IP services
General aspects
Technological aspects of the Internet and IP services
Impact on the telecommunication market
Regulatory concerns and trends
VII  –  Trade in telecommunication services and equipment
WTO agreement on basic telecommunication services
Inter-American Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for the Conformity Assessment of Telecommunication Equipment
New methods of operation
Regional cooperation in the regulatory fieldAnnex  I – Approval of the second version of the Blue Book: “Telecommunication Policies for the Americas”
Annex  II – Peru:  Concession contract for the provision of the Public National and International Long-Distance Telecommunication Transport Service
Annex  II – Mexico:  Modification of the deed of concession of Teléfonos de México, S.A. de C.V. 10 August 1990
Annex  III – Brazil:  General interconnection regulations
Annex  III – Argentina:  General interconnection regulations (GIR) 
Annex  IV – Provisions regulating the integration and liberalization of trade in telecommunication services in the Andean Community
Annex  V – List of Policy Makers and Regulators
Annex  VI – Glossary
Annex  VII – References

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n	Prices
The prices quoted in the catalogue, as well as in the separate lists of ITU‑R and ITU‑T Recommendations and the publication notices, distributed free of charge and visible on the Web at the address
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are in Swiss francs (CHF) and are subject to change without notice. Discounts of 15% are granted to Member States and Sector Members participating in the work of the ITU. The discount to Administrations of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) has been increased from 40% to 80% of the catalogue price on all ITU publications, as well as to libraries of educational institutions (for online subscriptions and CD-ROM publications only). Please note that the minimum price for a publication bought from the Electronic Bookshop is Twenty Swiss francs (CHF 20.–) and that there is no discount via this service.
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Article number:  17134	No.  195-00	
Telecommunication Policies for the Americas
The Blue Book, 2nd Edition, April 2000

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