OECD SECOND CONFERENCE ON COMPETITION AND REGULATION IN NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRIES (Budapest, 9-12 May 1995) (OCDE/GD [96]190)

Many transition economies have network infrastructure industries that are underdeveloped and inefficient in comparison with those typically found in OECD countries. Three principal issues have been of particular concern: the costs and benefits of greater competition; restructuring to create the desired level of competition; and the design of stable, equitable regulatory systems that enhance efficiency.

The OECD's Centre for Co-operation with Economies in Transition (CCET) has responded to requests for advice in reforming network infrastructure industries by offering assistance on issues relating to the telecommunications sector in several transition economies. It has also held two conferences on network infrastructure industries, both convened in Budapest and organised by staff in the Competition and Consumer Policy Division of the Directorate for Financial, Fiscal and Enterprise Affairs.

This document is a record of the second conference, held in May 1995, which covered the electricity, oil and natural gas, and telecommunications sectors. The conference provided a detailed examination of competition and regulatory issues for delegates from industry, competition agencies and regulatory bodies in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Slovak Republic. Emphasis was placed on the need for transparent and predictable regulation that encourages efficiency and investment, as well as the creation of independent regulatory bodies to help ensure effective enforcement of regulations.

CONTENTS:

Electricity Session Oil and Gas Session.

Telecommunications Session

The Economics of Access Pricing. By Mark Armstrong and Chris Doyle.

Franchise Auctions in Network Infrastructure Industries. By Martin Cave

Alternative Telecommunications Infrastructures: Their Competition Policy and Market Structure Implications. By Martin Cave.