Abstract

This research analyzes how a telecommunications regulator can balance compliance with innovation as the modular age, created by the Internet, disrupts the integral age of the traditional communications technologies. This question has gained critical importance for telecom regulators as the unregulated Internet technologies such as voice and video over Internet disrupt the regulated traditional technologies such as telephony and television and the historical paradigm of the regulator. For the analysis, we develop a system-level dynamic feedback model of regulation, competition, and innovation in telecommunications. Our analysis proposes a combination of two policy levers—Limiting Significant Market Power (SMP) Accumulation and Building Broad-based Consensus around Regulatory Issues—that most effectively achieve the desired balance in a highly modular technology and industry structure.

Bio: Dr. Chintan Vaishnav’s research hopes to address two existing challenges: understanding the implications of rapidly changing technology for public policy, and utilizing technology to effectively solve the problems of the world’s poor. His current research examines the dynamic complexity at the intersection of regulatory economics and innovation strategy; analyzing, for example, how a telecommunications regulator might balance compliance with innovation as the Internet-based services disrupt the traditional communications services. His work also informs managerial decisions concerning technology and industry disruption especially in an environment where technology architecture and industry structure changes rapidly. His work draws upon theories of systems, engineering, management science, and political economy. Dr. Vaishnav a PhD in Technology, Management and Policy from MIT . He also has an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering with several years of engineering research experience at the Bell Labs.