I just returned from the Telecoms Regulation and Competition Law conference put on by our friends at VIB events. Here�s the report:

* About 70-90 attendees. Most were telecoms/mobile operators or regulators.

* The talk was all about VoIP and how NRAs will incorporate that technology into their regulatory frameworks for telephony. Nothing too earth-shattering. We did hear some interesting discussions about emergency services and VoIP.

* Actually, the big topic was mobile termination and international roaming. I think these regulators realise how their consumers are being affected by these extra fees. Other interesting topics (from my perspective) were: (i) ex ante versus ex post regulation in the EC; (ii) fixed-to-mobile substitution; and (iii) TV over DSL regulation.

* There were at least two EC people present: (i) Alain van Gaever spoke on the challenge of VoIP to the EU regulatory framework and (ii) Inge Bernaerts spoke about the status of Article 7 market-definition notifications by member states. Inge said that the EC would be reviewing its Recommendation on relevant markets and would call for input by December 2005, aim for a draft by Summer 2006, and try to adopt a revised Recommendation by EOY2006. She also suggested that the Regulatory Framework would be reviewed in 2006. (Someone questioned: �Shouldn�t the EC review the Framework before it reviews the Recommendation?� ~ Duh!).

* Chuckles around my lunch table when I asked about people thought the proposed revisions to the Television Without Frontiers Directive would be successful. I was told to read Viviane Reding�s speech from Beaune�she supposedly redeemed herself somewhat. I seriously doubt it�

* Ofcom was (well) represented by Chinyelu Onwurah at the conference. Chinyelu is Ofcom�s Head of Telecoms Technology and�while she had no speaking role�was active in setting the record straight a few times during Q and A sessions. Ofcom generally came in for high praise in terms of its organizational measures and compliance with the EU framework.

* As usual with these types of conferences, the focus was NOT on the ultimate beneficiary of all this activity � the consumer. As Luke once said (in the media context), that�s the first perspective that gets lost when people talk policy. It�s pretty typical, folks. In one sense, it�s understandable because these are generally regulators talking about a process that is supposed to remove barriers to competition and indirectly benefit the consumer (structure-process-outcome). On the other hand, at times, the discussion is so focused on reviews and notifications and revisions (paperwork) that one gets the idea that these regulators believe their job is finished if they simply create great structures and procedures. Is it?

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That�s all I can think of at this time, folks. Great conference, particularly if you are somewhat weak on how the EC-side of regulation works (like me). Thanks to VIB and I will definitely attend this conference next year.