Is the pandemic a time for increased regulatory control or increased regulatory humility? Two internationally recognized experts in telecommunications regulation discussed this critical and timely topic as part of our Next Practices Series.

Dr. Roxana Barrantes is a professor of economics at Pontifica Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). She has served in several senior governmental positions in Peru, including the Court Dispute Resolution of the Supervisory Agency for Investment in Public Transportation Infrastructure (OSITRAN) and the National Customer Protection Agency (INDECOPI). Her positions include Chief of staff for the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Peru, and member of the board of directors of the Peruvian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (OSIPTEL).

Dr. Jeffrey Eisenach is a Managing Director and Co-Chair of NERA’s Communications, Media, and Internet Practice. He is also an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University Law School, where he teaches Regulated Industries, and a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where he launched Tech Policy Daily. He has served in senior policy positions at the US Federal Trade Commission and the White House Office of Management and Budget, and on the faculties of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Drs. Barrantes and Eisenach and I discussed the challenges of regulatory oversight during times of crisis. Some countries are expanding regulatory controls. Others are increasing fees telecommunications companies must pay. Still others are seeking to work cooperatively and strategically with telecom operators, including increasing the amount of radio spectrum that can be used. No one has best regulatory practices for situations that have never been encountered, but lessons are being learned. Our panel of experts explored those lessons.