Is a formalised structure a necessary prerequisite for implementing national telecommunications plan in developing and developed economies?

Abstract

This study provides a comparative analysis on the implementation of a national telecommunication plan (NTP) for developing and developed economies. It develops a theoretical construct for the implementation of an NTP and applies that for the case of Thailand to understand the level of consensus in the implementation of an NTP. It analyses the status of the implementation of an NTP in Thailand and compares the outcome with what happens in countries like the US, Canada and Brazil. The study suggests that there is no consensus or formal planning process among the telecommunications regulators in Thailand for the implementation of an NTP. This contrasts with the situation in the US, Canada and Brazil where findings suggest that government regulators as well as private sectors have developed a consensus and formalised structure of strategic planning towards the implementation of an NTP. In conclusion, the study highlights the need for a developing economy like Thailand to adopt a formalised NTP implementation plan for their telecommunications industry. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.