Liberty Global Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 a About This Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Liberty Global Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 a About This Report Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 Making Responsible Connections Liberty Global Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 A About this report This is our first annual Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report drawing on performance highlights of the calendar year 2011. The report covers all of PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT AND our worldwide operations with four exceptions: Kabel BW and Aster, which CEO MESSAGE were acquired during 2011; AUSTAR, which was sold during 2011; and VTR’s environmental data, which was not available at the time of publication. Numbers in this report are as per December 31, 2011, unless otherwise indicated. Our approach to CR follows the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s definition of corporate social responsibility as “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large.” In this report, we explain how CR at Liberty Global has evolved, and describe the journey we have taken. We openly acknowledge that we are undergoing a learning process and we look to our stakeholders to challenge us at every step. We know that we need to fully embed sustainability into the core of our business and we will only get there by setting performance targets to keep CR at the top OUR MATERIAL ISSUES OUR MATERIAL of our agenda. We aim to use the data collected this year as a baseline to set targets in future reports. This report has been shaped by extensive engagement with our stakeholders. It adheres to the international standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3.1 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines at a GRI-checked Level C. We welcome your feedback on our report and our wider approach to CR: [email protected] DIGITAL SOCIETY DIGITAL CUSTOMER TRUST CUSTOMER ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Cover photo from e-Senior Academy in Poland Liberty Global Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 Table of contents President and CEO message PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT AND CEO MESSAGE Hear from Mike Fries on the 02 Welcome to our corporate highlights of the year. responsibility report About Liberty Global ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL Find out about our business, where 04 About us we operate, and how we manage 06 Corporate governance corporate responsibility. Our material issues ISSUES OUR MATERIAL Focusing on the issues that matter most 07 Listening to our stakeholders to our business and to society, and how 08 Our corporate responsibility we develop our approach alongside priorities our stakeholders. 09 Focusing on issues that matter Promoting a digital society 10 SOCIETY DIGITAL Ensuring consumers have access to our 14 Widening access products and services, and that they have 16 Enhancing skills the skills and the opportunities to make 18 Creating opportunities the most of them. 19 Protecting children 21 Measuring our community impact Building trust with our customers 22 TRUST CUSTOMER Giving our customers access to cutting- 24 Data security edge technologies in a way that is secure 25 Customer privacy and on their own terms. 26 Product and service innovation 27 Customer relationships Managing our environmental impact 28 ENVIRONMENT Understanding and improving our 30 Energy use and efficiency environmental impact to be more 33 E-waste energy efficient and manage 34 Greenhouse gas emissions e-waste. Being a responsible business 36 RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Being honest, open and collaborative in the 38 Being transparent in all that we do ways we engage our people, our suppliers, 39 Our employees governments and civil society. 44 Building partnerships with our suppliers 45 Charitable giving Data and disclosure 49 GRI Content Index 51 GRI data table Liberty Global Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 01 President and CEO message Welcome to our corporate responsibility report PRESIDENT AND CEO MESSAGE ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL OUR MATERIAL ISSUES OUR MATERIAL “Our market-leading I am proud to share with you our 2011 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report. While this report is Liberty Global’s first, CR has been part of our business for broadband internet, many years, and we have many important initiatives underway that we regularly voice and video services communicate through the CR section on our website. empower millions of people to discover and The digital world is a dynamic, fast-changing environment with new technologies coming to market every day. Digital technology has forever changed the way that experience the endless consumers communicate with one another, and are informed and entertained. possibilities of the digital At Liberty Global (LGI), we connect people to the digital world – a world of quality, world, on their own terms convenience and infinite choice. Our market-leading broadband internet, voice and SOCIETY DIGITAL and at their own pace.” video services empower millions of people to discover and experience the endless possibilities of the digital world, on their own terms and at their own pace. MICHAEL T. FRIES, PRESIDENT AND CEO, We are constantly striving to enhance and simplify our customers’ lives through LIBERTy GLOBAL meaningful innovation. For Liberty Global to remain at the forefront in this arena, we have to demonstrate leadership, not only in terms of our products and services, but also in thinking about our responsibilities more broadly. CUSTOMER TRUST CUSTOMER This year, we reassessed the material impacts our business has on society and the environment, working closely with our stakeholders every step of the way. These findings led us to update and simplify our strategic CR Framework (page 9), which underpins our targeted approach, and gives us a solid foundation from which to move forward. We recognize that it is not enough for us just to describe our CR approach; we must demonstrate that it is good both for our business and for society, through robust performance metrics. Therefore, last year we invested in the ENVIRONMENT development of a social and environmental data management system that is tailored to our operations. It has given us the means to build an aggregated baseline of relevant CR information across our footprint – including data on our energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and our community investments. We will continue to build on this tool, and use it to measure and improve our CR performance. RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Liberty Global Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 02 President and CEO message “Our aim is to further Highlights of the year PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT AND integrate our CR strategy Key achievements in 2011 at LGI include launching a range of CR initiatives to CEO MESSAGE into our business protect children online, and becoming a founding member of the European operations while exploring Union’s “Industry Coalition to make a better and safer internet for children.” We also significantly improved the accuracy and scope of our environmental longer-term opportunities and community investment data, while continuing to implement our e-waste like embedding social refurbishment program, optimize the efficiency of our cable networks, and and environmental make our buildings greener. With our suppliers, we set in motion our attributes into our Responsible Procurement and Supply Chain Principles, and for our employees, ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL products and services.” we developed new initiatives to foster leadership and innovation. MICHAEL T. FRIES, In all our activities, honesty and transparency are paramount. We continue to PRESIDENT AND CEO, be listed on the FTSE4Good Index and the European Commission’s Transparency LIBERTy GLOBAL Register. In addition, this report adheres to the international sustainability reporting standards of the Global Reporting Initiative. Although this report speaks to our 2011 achievements, I would like to acknowledge our recent inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes – as a key indicator that our CR approach is being recognized. ISSUES OUR MATERIAL We can do more to meet our responsibilities as a global business, and as this report shows, 2011 was an important turning point in our CR program. Looking ahead Over the coming years, we face a number of CR-related challenges. We need to build on our materiality approach by focusing on the CR issues most important to our stakeholders. We are committed to improving the accuracy SOCIETY DIGITAL of our data, and developing robust performance targets. Our aim is to further integrate our CR strategy into our business operations, while exploring longer- term opportunities like embedding social and environmental attributes into our products and services. The Executive Management team is excited about the journey ahead as we continue to build on our experience. We encourage your feedback on this report, and our CR approach going forward. TRUST CUSTOMER Michael T. Fries President and CEO November 2012 ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Liberty Global Corporate Responsibility Report 2011 03 About Liberty Global PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT AND CEO MESSAGE ABOUT LIBERTY GLOBAL About us ISSUES OUR MATERIAL Liberty Global is the leading international cable company with operations in 13 countries. We connect millions of people to the digital world and enable them to discover and experience its endless possibilities. Our vision simply stated is: Connect. Discover. Be Free. Our market-leading television, broadband internet and telephony services are provided through next-generation networks and innovative technology platforms
Recommended publications
  • Federal Communications Commission DA 10-1348
    Federal Communications Commission DA 10-1348 Availability of Additional Share of Retail Monthly Monthly Charge in Broadband Service Broadband Service Installation Charges Broadband Bundled Length of Broadband Service Competition Fixed Type of Broadband Speed Foreign Charge (in USD, PPP Modem Rental Promot-ional Country Offerings Name / Offerings (Connection) including Line part of Double Play/ Service Usage limit Broadband Provider's URL Provider Status Broadband Technology (download/ upload) Currency Foreign (Purchasing Power Charge Price Description (Community or Charge Rental/ Triple Play ? Contract Access Market* Currency) Parity) National Level) Leasing Charge Bigpond Cable Standard Double play/ full service Australia Telstra Bigpond Incumbent 48% Cable 8Mbps/128kbps Aus Dollar $29.95 $20.40 Self installation $15.75 12 months No 200 MB 200 MB phone http://www.bigpond.com/home Bigpond Cable Standard Double play/ full service Telstra Bigpond Incumbent Cable 8Mbps/128kbps Aus Dollar $39.95 $27.21 Self installation $15.75 12 months No 400 MB 400 MB phone Double play/ full service Telstra Bigpond Incumbent Bigpond Liberty 12 GB Cable 8Mbps/128kbps Aus Dollar $59.95 $40.84 Self installation $15.75 12 months No 12 GB phone Double play/ full service Telstra Bigpond Incumbent Bigpond Liberty 25 GB Cable 8Mbps/128kbps Aus Dollar $79.95 $54.46 Self installation $15.75 12 months No 25 GB phone Up to 30 Mbps in Bigpond Cable Extreme Sydney and Melbourne Double play/ full service Telstra Bigpond Incumbent Cable Aus Dollar $39.95 $27.21 Self installation
    [Show full text]
  • International Casting Directors Network Index
    International Casting Directors Network Index 01 Welcome 02 About the ICDN 04 Index of Profiles 06 Profiles of Casting Directors 76 About European Film Promotion 78 Imprint 79 ICDN Membership Application form Gut instinct and hours of research “A great film can feel a lot like a fantastic dinner party. Actors mingle and clash in the best possible lighting, and conversation is fraught with wit and emotion. The director usually gets the bulk of the credit. But before he or she can play the consummate host, someone must carefully select the right guests, send out the invites, and keep track of the RSVPs”. ‘OSCARS: The Role Of Casting Director’ by Monica Corcoran Harel, The Deadline Team, December 6, 2012 Playing one of the key roles in creating that successful “dinner” is the Casting Director, but someone who is often over-looked in the recognition department. Everyone sees the actor at work, but very few people see the hours of research, the intrinsic skills, the gut instinct that the Casting Director puts into finding just the right person for just the right role. It’s a mix of routine and inspiration which brings the characters we come to love, and sometimes to hate, to the big screen. The Casting Director’s delicate work as liaison between director, actors, their agent/manager and the studio/network figures prominently in decisions which can make or break a project. It’s a job that can't garner an Oscar, but its mighty importance is always felt behind the scenes. In July 2013, the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) created a new branch for Casting Directors, and we are thrilled that a number of members of the International Casting Directors Network are amongst the first Casting Directors invited into the Academy.
    [Show full text]
  • UNITED STATES SECURITIES and EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C
    UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 OR o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File Number 001-09553 CBS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 04-2949533 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification Number) 51 W. 52nd Street New York, NY 10019 (212) 975-4321 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Name of Each Exchange on Title of Each Class Which Registered Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value New York Stock Exchange Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value New York Stock Exchange 7.625% Senior Debentures due 2016 American Stock Exchange 7.25% Senior Notes due 2051 New York Stock Exchange 6.75% Senior Notes due 2056 New York Stock Exchange Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None (Title of Class) Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933). Yes ☒ No o Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
    [Show full text]
  • 12/FINAL Working Party on Telecommunication And
    Unclassified DSTI/ICCP/TISP(2005)12/FINAL Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economiques Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 07-Apr-2006 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ English - Or. English DIRECTORATE FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE FOR INFORMATION, COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY Unclassified DSTI/ICCP/TISP(2005)12/FINAL Working Party on Telecommunication and Information Services Policies MULTIPLE PLAY: PRICING AND POLICY TRENDS English - Or. English JT03207142 Document complet disponible sur OLIS dans son format d'origine Complete document available on OLIS in its original format DSTI/ICCP/TISP(2005)12/FINAL FOREWORD This report was presented to the Working Party on Telecommunication and Information Services Policies in December 2005 and was declassified by the Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy in March 2006. The report was prepared by Mr. Yoshikazu Okamoto and Mr. Taylor Reynolds of the OECD’s Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry. It is published under the responsibility of the Secretary- General of the OECD. © OECD/OCDE 2006 2 DSTI/ICCP/TISP(2005)12/FINAL TABLE OF CONTENTS MAIN POINTS.............................................................................................................................................. 6 Regulatory issues........................................................................................................................................ 7 INTRODUCTION
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Slovak Audiovisual Situation in 2007 Report on the Slovak Audiovisual Situation in 2007
    REPORT ON THE SLOVAK AUDIOVISUAL SITUATION IN 2007 REPORT ON THE SLOVAK AUDIOVISUAL SITUATION IN 2007 ➜ CONTENT ■ Introduction ........................................................................................... 3 ■ Legislation ............................................................................................. 4 ■ Film Education ........................................................................................ 6 ■ Film Production ...................................................................................... 8 ■ State Audiovisual Support ....................................................................... 9 ■ MEDIA .................................................................................................. 11 ■ Eurimages ............................................................................................ 13 ■ Film Distribution .................................................................................... 14 ■ Videodistribution .................................................................................... 17 ■ Cinemas..................................................................................................19 ■ Film Clubs .............................................................................................. 20 ■ National Festivals, Reviews and Awards ................................................... 22 ■ Awards of Slovak Films and Filmmakers Abroad ........................................ 26 ■ Slovak Film Institute ..............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • CHELLO BROADBAND SERVICE LAUNCH REVOLUTIONISES EUROPEAN Submittedinternet By: Edelman USE Ltd Tuesday, 23 March 1999
    CHELLO BROADBAND SERVICE LAUNCH REVOLUTIONISES EUROPEAN SubmittedINTERNET by: Edelman USE Ltd Tuesday, 23 March 1999 New portal features introduced as chello service goes live in 5 European countries Amsterdam, 23 March 1999, At a worldwide media launch today, chello broadband n.v (chello) - Europe's leading broadband internet service provider, and operating company of recently floated United Pan-Europe Communications N.V. (UPC) - unveiled its innovative new portal design, exclusive broadband access features, along with details of its service available in five European countries. The keenly anticipated first look was premiered by chello's newly assembled top management team including Mark Schneider (chairman, chello broadband n.v. and chairman/CEO of chello's parent company UPC), Iain Osborne (chello managing director, marketing, sales and portal) and Sudhir Ispahani (chello managing director technology and operations). "The key to chello's success is its ability to take the most cutting edge complex technology and use it to make internet access easier than ever before," says Mark Schneider, chairman, chello broadband n.v. and CEO/chairman UPC. "Our world class technology team has developed AORTA, Europe's first broadband network and the largest European caching distributed service. The technology chello has implemented means that AORTA will always have the bandwidth capacity to provide customers with a fast reliable service." chello vision, a revolutionary new user interface, shown today, is a TV remote control on the computer screen which allows users to navigate the internet as easily as they can a television. chello vision's 3D remote control travels with users as they journey through chello's extensive information channels and makes scrolling up and down pages to find information obsolete.
    [Show full text]
  • The International Researcher's Guide to Slovakia
    The international researcher’s guide to The international researcher’s guide to Slovakia A1320_obalka_EN.indd 1 12. 4. 2008 20:43:46 Výtažková azurováVýtažková purpurováVýtažková žlutáVýtažková þerná This publication was prepared within the project 1. FOREWORD. 4 4. INTERNATIONAL Researcher's Mobility Centre in Slovakia, with the financial support Co‑operATION – GRANTS of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. 2. LIFE IN SLOVAKIA. 6 AND sCHOLARSHIPS. 60 1. Slovakia in brief. 7 1. Funding based on Slovak 2. Geography. .7 sources . .61 3. History. .8 2. Funding for bilateral 4. Political system co‑operation. 65 and state bodies . 11 (e g., based on bilateral 5. Regional and intergovernmental agreements local administration. .11 or focused primarily 6. Economy. 12 on bilateral cooperation). 65 7. Currency. 14 3. Funding by multilateral/ 8. Population. 14 international programmes 9. Religion. .14 or organisations. .76 10. Transport . .15 11. Accommodation and housing. 20 5. FORMALITIES, ENTERING 12. Banks. .21 AND STAYING IN SLOVAKIA. 88 13. Shopping. .22 1. Entry conditions – registration 14. Electrical appliances procedures and visa. .89 The International Researcher‘s Guide to Slovakia and computers. 23 2. Working and employment. .95 (Third Updated Edition) 15. Communications 3. Social security. 100 and post offices. 24 4. Health and medical care. 108 Published by: 16. Hiking and tourism. 26 5. Taxation. .112 SAIA, n. o. 17. Sport . .30 6. Recognition of diplomas Námestie slobody 23 18. Culture and media. .31 and qualifications. 114 812 20 Bratislava 1 19. Cuisine. 36 7. Driving licence, The Slovak Republic 20. Childcare and education. .37 import of goods.
    [Show full text]
  • SUPER BOWL XLVII FEBRUARY 3Rd, 2013 PROGRAM START: 5:00 PM CT (LOCAL) / 6:00 PM ET
    TABLE OF CONTENTS NFL Films Welcomes International Broadcasters……………………………….2 General Contact Information…………………………………………………..……3 Credential Information……………………………………………………………….4 World Feed Information …………………………………………..…………………5 Commercial Break Format…………………………….…………………………..…7 World Feed Production Meeting/Schedule………………….…………………….8 World Feed Transmission Fax..………..………………………………………..…...9 World Feed HD Satellite Details…………..…..………………………………...…..10 Pre-Game Stand-Up Guidelines………..….………………….……..…………..…...11 Pre-Game Stand-Up Schedule………..………………..…………...…………….….12 Satellite News Service…….………………………………..….…………….…….…13 Compound Map..………………………………………………………………………14 Phone Lists……..…………………………………………………………………..….15 RF Checkpoint ………………………………………………………………………...17 NFL FILMS WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTERS BBC RADIO BBC SPORTS UNITED KINGDOM UNITED KINGDOM beIN Sports BTV FRANCE CHINA CHELLO SPORT 1 ESPN HUNGARY BRAZIL ESPN FOX SPORTS INTERNATIONAL NORTH CONE GDTV NHK CHINA JAPAN NTV SAT1 JAPAN GERMANY SKY SPORTS SMG UNITED KINGDOM CHINA SPORTING TELENET TELEVISA BELGIUM MEXICO TV AZTECA VIASAT MEXICO DANMARK W9 FRANCE 2 SUPER BOWL XLVII FEBRUARY 3rd, 2013 PROGRAM START: 5:00 PM CT (LOCAL) / 6:00 PM ET Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA NFL FILMS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE NFL Films’ office is located in the NFL Broadcast Compound Jeff Lombardi Cindie Hurley Jared Hilbert Sara Webster Kate Kazakewich Phone #: +1-504-558-4110 or +1-504-558-4180 NFL Broadcast Engineering Jeff Howard Mike Greenwood Kevin Clifford Marty Pingree Phone #: +1-504-558-4161 INTERNATIONAL GREEN ROOM General Phone #: +1-504-558-4171 Fax #: +1-504-588-6301 3 CREDENTIALS FOR INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTERS • ACCESS TO PRESS CONFERENCES & MEDIA EVENTS: All confirmed staff must first visit the Media Center to pick up their “Week of Game” credentials. Each individual is required to pick up his/her own week of game credential by visiting the International Desk at Media Center.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergency Pollution Response Plan December 2015
    www.standard-club.com Emergency Pollution Response Plan December 2015 The Standard for service and security The contact details of surveyors in main European waterways are listed on the back The most common type of pollution is by oil. of this sheet. They are recommended by the However, P&I cover is not limited merely to oil pollution; club and are available to assist. any pollution which originates from or is caused by the Alternatively, you can contact Charles Taylor & Co. Limited: ship is covered (for example, smoke or garbage). If you Nick Williams see or suspect pollution from your ship, you must take +44 20 3320 8856 action, no matter how small the pollution may be, even +44 7825 571 203 [email protected] if you are not certain that your ship is to blame. Tim Prior +44 20 3320 8987 +44 7823 521 087 [email protected] Emergency mobile +44 7932 113 573 Pollution response procedures – Investigate every allegation of pollution, not just allegations of oil pollution; – Inform port control, your owner, manager or broker (insert contact details in the box on the bottom left of this page) and ask for a surveyor; – Suspend all pumping operations and close all valves in bilge, ballast, bunkering and cargo systems; – Identify the source and cause of the pollution; – Collect samples, seal and date them. Owner/manager contact details If the pollution originates from a tank overflow, obtain the following information from whoever was involved and write it down: – Sequence of events which led to the pollution; – Pump start and stop times; – Agreed pumping rate; – Tank volume; – Topping off procedure; – Record of sounding.
    [Show full text]
  • The Development of Broadband Access in the OECD Countries”, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No
    Please cite this paper as: OECD (2001-10-29), “The Development of Broadband Access in the OECD Countries”, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No. 56, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/233822327671 OECD Digital Economy Papers No. 56 The Development of Broadband Access in the OECD Countries OECD Unclassified DSTI/ICCP/TISP(2001)2/FINAL Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economiques Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 29-Oct-2001 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ English - Or. English DIRECTORATE FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE FOR INFORMATION, COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY Unclassified DSTI/ICCP/TISP(2001)2/FINAL Working Party on Telecommunication and Information Services Policies THE DEVELOPMENT OF BROADBAND ACCESS IN OECD COUNTRIES E nglish - Or. English JT00115500 Document complet disponible sur OLIS dans son format d'origine Complete document available on OLIS in its original format DSTI/ICCP/TISP(2001)2/FINAL FOREWORD In June 2001, this report was presented to the Working Party on Telecommunications and Information Services Policy (TISP) and was recommended to be made public by the Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP) in October 2001. The report was prepared by Dr. Sam Paltridge of the OECD’s Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry. It is published on the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. Copyright OECD, 2001 Applications for permission to reproduce or translate
    [Show full text]
  • 4 Competition and Access
    Next Generation Connectivity 4 Competition and access This part and the two that follow it review the core policies and practices of other countries, and evaluate whether we can conclude that one or another policy intervention contributed to a country's broadband performance. These policies and practices fall into the two major categories of government action: regulation and public spending. They are focused on improving either the supply of, or the demand for, ubiquitous connectivity, or on assuring equitable access to the technological capabilities of the digitally networked environment. On the supply side, governments spend and invest in infrastructure or tailor their regulatory action so as to improve competition in telecommunications markets while preserving investment incentives. On the demand side, governments mostly spend improve skills, subsidize equipment and services, or act as buyers. In our review, we found that a central aspect of policy has been the effort to foster competition in an imperfect and difficult market. This was true of the first broadband transition, and is at the center of many planning efforts for the next generation transition. Fostering competition entailed a shift from older-style regulated monopoly structures to a system that deploys its regulatory power to lower entry barriers by requiring open access to hard-to-replicate infrastructure elements. Both the degree to which national regulators were engaged and effective relative to usually recalcitrant incumbents, and the degree to which regulators emphasized protecting entrants appear to have been important. In wireless markets, the lessons are murkier. There are countries that have done well with policies that “should” not have worked—beauty contests or small numbers of allocations—and countries that have done poorly even though they acted early and auctioned four or five dedicated 3G licenses with adequate spectrum.
    [Show full text]
  • International Student's Guide to Slovakia
    International Student’s Guide Student’sInternational to SlovakiatoGuide Slovakia International toStudent’s Slovakia Guide International Student’s Guide to Slovakia Student’sInternational toGuide Slovakia This publication was produced within the National Scholarship ABOUT SLOVAKIA Programme of the Slovak Republic and Researcher’s Mobility 1. Slovakia in Brief 5 I. Centre funded by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic 2. Geography 7 and within the Lifelong Learning Programme/Erasmus funded by 3. Political System and State Bodies 9 the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic and the European 4. Religion 11 5. Slovak UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage 13 Commission. 6. Famous Slovaks 15 International Student’s Guide to Slovakia HIGHER EDUCATION IN SLOVAKIA 1. Oldest Slovak Universities 23 II. Published by: 2. Higher Education Institutions 24 SAIA, n. o. | Námestie slobody 23 | 812 20 Bratislava 1 | Slovakia 3. Organisation and Structure of Studies 32 4. Admission and Tuition Fee 35 SAAIC | Staré grunty 52 | 842 44 Bratislava | Slovakia 5. Recognition of Diplomas and Qualifications 37 6. Slovak Language Courses for International Students 40 7. Student Organisations 42 8. Student Cards 45 GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 1. Funding Based on Slovak Sources 47 III. 2. Funding for Bilateral Co‑operation 53 3. Multilateral Programmes 56 FORMALITIES, ENTERING AND STAYING IN SLOVAKIA IV. 1. Entry Conditions — Visa, Registration Procedures and Working 67 2. Health and Medical Care 70 3. Import of Goods 74 Prepared by: LIVING IN SLOVAKIA Kristína Sallerová in co‑operation with: 1. Transport 77 V. 2. Accommodation in the Dormitory 87 Viera Farkašová, Michal Fedák, Denisa Filkornová, 3.
    [Show full text]