The Impact of International Trade Commitments on Domestic Telecommunications Policy in South Africa

Title: The Impact of International Trade Commitments on Domestic Telecommunications Policy in South Africa

Research Question: How have South Africa's international trade commitments under the World Trade Organization's Basic Telecommunications Agreement influenced its domestic telecommunications policy?

Methodology: The study utilized a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative analysis involved an assessment of South Africa's compliance with its international trade commitments under the Basic Telecommunications Agreement, specifically focusing on the country's Schedule of Specific Commitments and the Regulatory Reference Paper. The qualitative analysis involved a review of relevant domestic policies and regulations, as well as case studies of significant events, such as competitive safeguard disputes, to understand the impact of international trade commitments on domestic telecommunications policy.

Results: The research found that while South Africa has made progress in implementing the six principles of the Regulatory Reference Paper, the pace of change has been slow due to factors such as a weak regulatory agency and adverse internal and external influences. The study also highlighted the tension between global trade ideals and domestic social and economic priorities, and how this tension has influenced the country's telecommunications policy.

Implications: The research suggests that the dynamic between global trade commitments and domestic policy reforms allows for a balance between competition and development. It argues that the broad regulatory principles adopted by all signatories of the Basic Telecommunications Agreement facilitate this balance and enable domestic governments to advance sovereign concerns while pursuing international trade ideals. The study also emphasizes the need for flexibility in the application of global trade ideals to accommodate divergent social and economic priorities.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0109047v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0109047v1