Results of convergence consultation A Working Document, summarising the five month consultation carried out by the Commission on its Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology (IT) sectors, has recently been issued. This will be followed by a Commission communicati... A Working Document, summarising the five month consultation carried out by the Commission on its Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology (IT) sectors, has recently been issued. This will be followed by a Commission communication containing policy proposals at the end of the year. The report gives an overview of the key findings of the consultation plus a more detailed survey of the responses to each question posed in the Green Paper. The principles put forward in the Green Paper were widely endorsed, particularly the need to limit regulation to what is strictly necessary and the need for a clear, predictable framework. The key findings included the following: - Agreement on the reality of technical convergence, but different views as to the speed and scope of its impact on market services; - General recognition of the continuing need for sector specific rules; - Agreement on the increasing role for self-regulation; - Substantial support for separating transport and content rules, and moving towards a common set of rules for infrastructure and networks. The Working Document also asks for more detailed input on three key issues, access to networks and digital gateways in a converging environment, the creation of the framework for investment, innovation, and the encouragement of the European content production, distribution and availability and how to ensure a balanced approach to regulation.
