Telecommunications in Transition: The Chinese Experience in the International Context

Abstract

In this article, we seek to provide a deep insight into telecommunications reform strategies by studying the Chinese experience in the international context. We argue that, while the telecommunications sector generally has been moving towards full liberalization and deregulation on the global scale, there is great variation in how this has been achieved in individual countries. Countries have adopted a variety of transitional mechanisms in their telecommunications reform process. We suggest that an efficient reform program should be formulated by correctly analyzing the context, including the development stage of the telecommunications sector, and the economic and political environment. China presents one such experience.