OECD fears for fixed lines and mobiles

NET It said that in 2003, for the first time ever, the number of fixed phone lines actually fell in OECD countries, with mobile operators making up the difference. However as the fixed line carriers had fought back by offering such things as Wi-Fi hotspots in cities this had knocked back 3G mobile operators. The report said that 3G operators may need to change their charging policies, for example by persuading customers to sign up for longer term contracts rather than purchasing calling time on an ad hoc basis. But the report said that with all this competition, governments might have re-examination of existing regulations. “In particular, regulators may need to review obligations regarding universal telecommunications service as more companies offer telephone services over the Internet without having a physical presence in a country,” the report says. More light reading here [http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=79513&WT.svl=wire1_1]