Taylor Reynolds, a specialist analyst at OECD, argues that broadband is a once in a lifetime development for society, and a once in a generation upgrade, akin to the deployment of electricity. He points out against this background that competition forces have served the wider objectives of national broadband policies in terms of consumer-friendly pricing and ever higher speeds (particularly seen in the clear disappearance of broadband speed capping practices) around the world well.

1. Broadband developments International Institute of Communications Washington DC 2 December 2009 The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OECD or its membership.

2. Broadband: General purpose technology

3. Telecommunication investment is strongly pro-cyclical.

4. Households with broadband http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/20/59/39574039.xls

5. Advertised speeds 1 Mbit/s 2 Mbit/s 10 Mbit/s 50 Mbit/s 100 Mbit/s 24 Mbit/s

6. Disappearing data caps November 2009

7. NZ: Choosing to be shaped

8. Competition Is DSL + cable + wireless sufficient?

9. Fixed Triple play No data caps Very high speeds Mobile Lower speeds 1 GB data cap Substitutes in Portugal?

10. DSL Cable Wireless How well is this competition working out?

16. Thank you