Internet, innovation at the centre of major WTO event

Blog, EU

The WTO public forum is perhaps the most visible result of the WTO’s revised public relations strategy following its tumultuous 1999 Ministerial Conference in Seattle. In recent years, it has become a major event in the international trade agenda as it transformed from a somewhat academic public outreach exercise to a well-attended ‘marketplace of ideas’ where industry, civil society and Governments discuss trade challenges in an open and constructive environment.

Why the Internet Governance debate is repetitive and what the UN could do about it

Blog, Competition Policy, EU, Telecom & Wireless

The past 10 years of the international Internet governance debate must have reminded some observers of the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day” – the same protagonists making the same arguments in a seemingly perpetual cycle. On one side of the debate is a group of Western Governments and a large part of the international business and…

Notice-and-Action Procedures Coming Up in Europe

Blog, EU

After closing a public consultation in September 2012, the Commission’s services responsible for the internal market have just sent the first drafts for a Directive on notice-and-action (N&A) procedures and a non-binding Communication on best practises into inter-service consultation. During the inter-service consultation other Commission services have the opportunity to comment on the draft proposals…

CCIA Testifies On Digital Trade At TTIP Hearing

Comments, Letters And Testimony, EU, News & Events, US

The Computer & Communications Industry Association outlined growing threats and policies that curb digital trade in testimony at a USTR hosted hearing Wednesday afternoon on the US/EU’s free trade agreement known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). CCIA noted that trade agreements have unfortunately not kept up with the thriving Internet industry and recommended the…

IDEA, CCIA AND ICANN Co-Host Lunch For TISA Ambassadors, Private Sector Leaders In Geneva

Blog, EU

Geneva – On May 15th, more than 40 leaders from the technology sector, international organisations and representatives of 15 of the countries participating in the Trade In Services (TISA) negotiations lunched together, co-hosted by CCIA, IDEA, and ICANN (represented by CEO Fadi Chehade and Board Chairman and Internet pioneer Steve Crocker amongst others). The purpose: to share perspectives on…

CCIA’s Response To ETNO Economic Study

EU, News & Events

The European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association published a study late Wednesday offering policy recommendations to grow the European telecommunications sector titled “A Future Policy Framework for Growth.” The Computer & Communications Industry Association, which represents telecommunications companies as well as Internet services, whose customers depend on telecommunications connections for access to the Internet, has spent…