boosted handset purchases by more than 200 per cent, and mobile penetration increased some 50-70 per cent. From 2009 to 2012, airtime prices fell by 70 per cent and usage of mobile services rose by 113 per cent. Through increased handset circulation, a higher share of consumers has access to high-value mobile services like m-banking, m-agriculture and m-health offerings.5.4 Rights-based regulatory approaches and statutory recognition This chapter charts the adoption of light-touch regulatory mechanisms to foster the diffusion of m-services and apps. It is important, however, to note that some countries have adopted statutory pathways – a more formal approach - to define obligations for diffusion and access to m-services and apps. As previously discussed, regulatory approaches are not uniform, and countries have the freedom to address their own unique circumstances as they deem best. This aspect is important because in such situations, m-services and apps are fostered through mandatory requirements in response to unique national circumstances.The trend toward rights-based regulatory approaches has been driven by the social inclusion theory. In recent times, this theory has inspired legal challenges that have confirmed that Internet and broadband access are basic human rights.72 This is the view that all people, including persons with disabilities, must be able to access the Internet in order to exercise and enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and opinion and other fundamental human rights. This imposes on governments a responsibility to ensure that Internet access is broadly available, and that countries do not unreasonably restrict an individual's access to the Internet and, therefore, to m-services and apps.73 Internet access is recognized as a right by the laws of several countries -- among them Costa Rica, France, Spain, Estonia, Finland and Greece. One of the benefits of this approach is that statutory recognition gives impetus to implementing Internet or broadband access plans, accelerating access to m-services and apps. While these countries are the forerunners of this rights-based approach, it remains to be seen whether other countries will follow their lead.Some countries have used statutory pathways to push for the adoption of specific m-services and apps to meet certain public policy goals. For example, in order to help mitigate the consequences of serious road accidents across the EU, the European Commission adopted two legislative proposals in June 2013 to ensure that by October 2015, cars automatically will call emergency services when involved in serious crashes.74 This \"eCall\" system automatically dials 112 -- Europe's single emergency number – after an accident.75 The Commission proposed two pieces of legislation to help create and implement the system. The proposed legislation will focus on deployment in passenger vehicles through the type-approval process.76 Other recent examples, such as ERA GLONASS77 and SIMRAV,78 indicate a growing preference for legislative fiat over voluntary approaches to introduce services into the market. ERA GLONASS in Russia stemmed from recent legislation requiring installation of monitors and in-vehicle sensors to automatically transmit location details and summon assistance via emergency cellular service. Similarly, the Brazilian government introduced legislation to tackle the very high levels of vehicle crime in the country through a program called SIMRAV. This program will mandate installation of telematics systems in all new vehicles in Brazil. Around 25 million vehicles are anticipated to be equipped through SIMRAV by the end of 2015, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery service subscribers could exceed 2.5 million by 2013.Regulatory approaches need to be flexible enough to respond to harmonization efforts across sectors and even geographical regions. Clear consideration is needed to ensure that the regulatory approach adopted is not a barrier to future innovation and progress. If in doubt, do not prescribe or regulate, because innovation needs time and freedom to blossom.Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016 141 Chapter 5