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06-Nov-2007
This portal provides a wide range of broadband indicators on penetration rates, usage, geography, prices, speeds and services. For example, the 221 million broadband subscribers in the OECD area spend an average of USD 49 per month for broadband and receive an average advertised connection of 13.7 megabits per second. The portal can be found at www.oecd.org/sti/ict/broadband.
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06-Nov-2007
The OECD recently invited public comments on issues such as convergence, innovation and trust, all of which will be discussed at the June 2008 OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy. This consultation provided an opportunity for all interested stakeholders to contribute to the discussions from a wide range of viewpoints and expertise. Responses are now available on line.
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25-Jul-2007
The second Roundtable on economics for consumer policy (click here for a report on the first) brought academics and senior government officials together to examine the nature of failures in markets where supply-side competition is deemed to be effective. It considered the economic theories of information disclosure, focusing on two major industry sectors – telecommunications and financial services. How policies addressing demand side failures could be strengthened was considered.
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19-Jul-2007
Consumers enter into contracts covering a wide range of purchases – health care, housing, financial investment, telecommunication services and leisure services are some examples. In addition, with the increasing convergence of financial arrangements and consumer activities in modern life, consumers are prone to take on longer-term commitments. The OECD report on contracts takes a close look at how governments in different countries help protect the interests of consumers when they sign such contracts.
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16-Jul-2007
OECD Member countries have agreed common principles aimed at providing consumers with effective mechanisms to resolve their disputes and obtain redress for economic harm resulting from transactions with business. The new framework, which applies to disputes arising in both a domestic and cross-border context, is aimed at strengthening consumer trust on-line and at helping them benefit from e-commerce advantages.
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06-Jul-2007
The OECD Council has adopted a Recommendation calling on Member countries to establish compatible, technology-neutral approaches for effective domestic and cross-border e-authentication of persons and entities. The key role of e-authentication in fostering trust online and the continued development of the digital economy is reaffirmed. Guidance on e-Authentication has also been developed to assist Member countries and non-Member economies in establishing or amending their approaches with a view to facilitating cross-border authentication.
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13-Jun-2007
Embodied in a new OECD Recommendation, the framework reflects a commitment by governments to improve their domestic frameworks for privacy law enforcement to better enable their authorities to co-operate with foreign authorities, as well as to provide mutual assistance to one another in the enforcement of privacy laws.
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16-Apr-2007
Internet traffic prioritisation is an increasingly important policy issue as bandwidth demands increase and Internet applications require higher levels of quality of service to function well. Debates about traffic prioritisation, particularly in the context of “network neutrality” discussions, have been divisive. The study provides background for national debates by examining the role of traffic prioritisation in networks and highlighting associated policy and regulatory issues.
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29-Mar-2007
This paper analyses current developments in IT and ICT-enabled services offshoring to China and discusses the potential for further growth, using indicators of international trade, human resources and ICT infrastructure. R&D activities are a specific example of China’s potential to supply more highly skilled ICT-enabled services and move up the value chain.
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09-Feb-2007
Mobile commerce is a promising market both for consumers and businesses. However, consumer troubles and complaints are increasing and can sometimes become serious, including issues for minors. Member countries’ experiences show that we should ensure that consumers benefit. In particular, countries may review their instruments with regard to a more effective scheme for information disclosure, liability protection over SIM and RFID cards, effective notice to excessive consumption, and the importance of consumer education. Businesses may also consider more effective consumer protection schemes.
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