The shaping of the universal service obligation in telecommunications for a competitive environment: a review of policy change in the United States, Australia and New Zealand

摘要

The Universal Service Obligation (USO) is a central element in the social contract between the provider of telecommuniations and the state. This paper describes the major aspects of these changes in three economies: the United States; Australia; and New Zealand. For each of the three countries, the different legislative and funding approaches being adopted are discussed. It is argued that, in some respects, the new relationships being forged under competition could undermine the social benefits that are traditionally throught to be derived from the USO.