Open Data and Open Government: Rethinking Telecommunications Policy and Regulation

Abstract

While attention has been given to the uses of big data by network operators and to the provision of open data by governments, there has been no systematic attempt to re-examine the regulatory systems for telecommunications. The power of public authorities to access the big data held by operators could transform regulation by simplifying proof of bias or discrimination, making operators more susceptible to behavioural remedies, while it could also be used to deliver much finer granularity of decision making. By opening up data held by government and its agencies to enterprises, think tanks and research groups it should be possible to transform market regulation.

Keywords: Telecommunications, Governance, Open data, Open government, linked open data, big data

JEL Classification: G28, H41, K21, K23, K42, L43, L51, L96