A Study on the Legal Norms for Cable Competition

Abstract

The cable industry in Chinese Taipei has gone through its infancy. According to the latest version of the "Cable Broadcast Law", cable system operators are allowed to apply a license for telecommunications business. This statute also contains other detail prescriptions about cable services and their transaction. New legislation for the satellite broadcasting, on the other hand, regulates DBS and audio/ video program transmission via Satellites. Thus, the authority in charge has now a more appropriate delegation.

In the meantime, the liberalization of telecommunications branch has encouraged private investment in mobile and fixed transmission, and many kinds of value added services. A brand new 4C-integrated market structure is hence emerging. What will then the competition rulings look like when the cable industry eventually turns into an integrated part of the 4C convergence? After characterizing the regulation regime and relevant market structure this article explores some key issues in this field and tries to analyze them in technological, economical and legal perspectives.