Unbundling Local Loops: Global Experiences

Abstract

Unbundling has been made to work in a number of countries with relatively dense and well developed traditional copper networks. However, the conditions have been exacting, requiring: customisation for the national market, alternative operators willing to enter the market, medium‐term legal certainty for those operators, restraint by the incumbent operator, a powerful regulator to monitor progress and publish statistics, a rapid appeals process and a continuing refinement of the regulations. In Africa, with few exceptions, there are insufficient local loops for the enormous regulatory effort to be worthwhile. There are few potential entrants, all committed to wireless which continues the successful pattern of infrastructure competition.

Keywords: local loop unbundling, unbundled network elements, Africa, global best practice

JEL Classification: K23, I12, I52, I96