This book provides a clear and thorough account of the process leading
up to the revision of the International Telecommunication Regulations
(ITRs) one of the four treaties administered by the ITU. The author's
inside view of the events and his legal analysis of the new ITRs, are
different from that what has been aired in most other accounts to date.
His systematic approach shows how much of the criticism of the WCIT-12
process and of the ITRs themselves, is unjustified. This book provides
the most accurate view to date of what the ITRs really mean and of what
really happened at WCIT-12, which was undoubtedly a key event in the
history of telecommunication policy and which is likely to have
significant long-term effects.
The book covers in some detail the events leading to the non-signature
of the treaty by a significant number of states, outlines possible
consequences of that split between states, and offers possible ways
forward. The book includes a detailed article-by-article analysis of the
new ITRs, explaining their implications and concludes with
recommendations for national authorities. It concludes with an analysis
of events from the point of view of dispute resolution theory, offering
suggestions for how to avoid divisive outcomes in the future.
"This is an excellent book, and quite rich and comprehensive. The topic
is important and the book will surely be of interest to regulators,
diplomats, policy experts, and all those who participated in WCIT. The
author is uniquely qualified to write an analysis of the new ITRs and an
account of the Conference. This book will be a good reference for the
next Plenipotentiary Conference to be held in 2014 which is going to
discuss follow-up to WCIT-12." Naser al-Rashedi, United Arab Emirates.
"This is an authoritative expert account of a moment of high
significance for vital issues with respect to international networks."
Professor Dan Schiller, University of Illinois.
"This is an excellent and timely work." Professor Ian Walden, Queen
Mary, University of London.
"Interested persons, businesses and governments can draw their policies
from the assessments of a telecommunications insider as presented in
this book.
The manifold arguments enlightening the interpretation of the provisions
of the ITRs might become an invaluable guidance for those who apply the
ITRs in the future."
Professor Dr. Rolf H. Weber, University of Zurich.
