Exploring the Ways to Create a National Broadband Policy: A Critical Discussion on the Main Drawbacks and Possible Measures for Turkey

How to devise and implement a national broadband policy has been an entrenched part of developed countries’ agendas and information society programmes during the last decade. In fact, broadband is not only seen as one of the by-products of convergence but also deemed as the path to increase a country’s global competitiveness as well as welfare accumulation. As many Western countries put broadband policies at the top of their state-funding schemes and ICT strategies whereby critical responsibilities are assumed by state agencies, same collaborations and efforts similarly rely on the competent authorities in Turkey, e.g. Ministry of Transport, Regulatory Body (ICTA) and Competition Authority (CA). Viewing this fact as the baseline, this study firstly traces back to Turkey’s liberalisation history, development of broadband penetration and access models; subsequently explains regulatory landscape including the cornerstone decisions and implementations, e.g. those of ICTA (formerly, TA) and CA; and finally elaborates the possible actions and measures surrounding successful examples across the globe. It is ultimately proposed that, both infrastructure and service based competition should be encouraged in liaison with investment-spurring governmental projects. Out of the possible policy tools, allocation of a portion of general budget or universal service funds to broadband deployments, making ample capacities of utilities available to broadband operators, encouraging public-private cooperation and enabling municipalities to build broadband infrastructure are given a special emphasis. After a variety of measures being put forward, it is found that making a multi-dimensional plan entailing all the relevant parties (e.g. municipalities, universities, public utilities), delegating a task force for implementing the plan, and combination of flexible business models with fund allocation schemes are the main success factors which Turkey would effectively adapt to itself in line with many of the developed countries. Stronger coordination among competent authorities themselves and with operators, and gradual forbearance from regulation of the entrenched models along with the accelerated roll-out of LLU and other emerging broadband platforms, e.g. FTTx are the other strategic behaviours suggested hereby. Last but not least, public debate over creation of national broadband policy and projects should be maintained on the country agenda, attracting more participants to discuss how to build and implement a sound broadband strategy in Turkey.