G5 Accelerator ICT Regulatory Tracker G5 Benchmark ICT Policy Impact Lab
G5 Accelerator

Seven design principles for collaborative regulation

Explainers
The story behind five generations of regulation – G1 to G5 Why do we need G5 collaborative regulation? Four fundamentals. Wheel of collaboration – how to collaborate and with whom? Five reasons to look at the G5 Benchmark G5 and the digital transformation The regulatory thinking cycle Finding the shortest path to collaboration
Informers
How broadband and digitization impact the global economy The impact of policies, regulation, and institutions on ICT sector performance
Enablers
Mobile broadband – six golden rules to accelerate take-up Fixed broadband – seven golden rules to accelerate take-up Future-proofing for digital transformation in times of crisis Essentials for the success of regulatory collaboration and response Seven design principles for collaborative regulation Five benchmarks for regulatory excellence and market performance 12 elements – the core of collaborative regulation best practice
National Approaches
Library of national approaches to collaborative governance
Best Practices
GSR-21: Financing digital infrastructure, access and use GSR-20: The gold standard for digital regulation GSR-19: Fast Forward Digital Connectivity for All GSR-18: New Regulatory Frontiers to Achieve Digital Transformation GSR-17: Policy and Regulatory Incentives for Affordable Access to Digital Services GSR-16: Collaborative Regulation for Digital Financial Inclusion GSR-15: Facilitate the Widespread Adoption and Use of Mobile Applications and Services through Targeted Regulation GSR-14: Consumer Protection in a Digital World GSR-13: Evolving Roles of Both Regulation and the Regulators in a Digital Environment GSR-12: Regulatory Approaches to Foster Access to Digital Opportunities Through Cloud Services GSR-11: Regulatory Approaches to Advance the Deployment of Broadband, Encourage Innovation and Enable Digital Inclusion for All GSR-10: Enabling Open Access GSR-09: Innovative Regulatory Approaches in a Converged World to Strengthen the Foundation of a Global Information Society GSR-08: Innovative Infrastructure Sharing Strategies to Promote Affordable Access for All GSR-07: Next-Generation Networks (NGNs) Migration GSR-05: Spectrum Management to Promote Broadband Access GSR-04: Promotion of Low Cost Broadband and Internet Connectivity GSR-03: Universal Access Regulatory Best Practice Guidelines

Policy design principles are at hand for regulators to help develop an understanding of new technology paradigms and guide them towards appropriate regulation. Led by these principles, regulators can fine-tune their regulatory response, ensuring optimal impact on the market. Below are seven design principles to respond to new technology paradigms and business models stemming from collaborative regulation:

  1. To achieve digital transformation, policy and regulation should be more holistic. Cross-sectoral collaboration along with revisited regulatory approaches such as co-regulation and self-regulation, can lead to new forms of collaborative regulation based on common goals such as social and economic good, and innovation.
  2. Policy and regulation should be consultation and collaboration based. In the same way digital cuts across economic sectors, markets and geographies, regulatory decision making should include the expectations, ideas and expertise of all market stakeholders, market players, academia, civil society, consumer associations, data scientists, end-users, and relevant government agencies from different sectors.
  3. Policy and regulation should be evidence-based: Evidence matters for creating a sound understanding of the issues at stake and identifying the options going forward, as well as their impact. Appropriate authoritative benchmarks and metrics can guide regulators in rule-making and enforcement, enhancing the quality of regulatory decisions.
  4. Policy and regulation should be outcome-based: Regulators need to address the most pressing issues, for example market barriers and enabling synergies. The rationale for any regulatory response to new technologies should be grounded in the impact on consumers, societies, market players and investment flows as well as on national development as a whole.
  5. Policy and regulation should be incentive-based: Collaborative regulation is driven by leadership, incentive and reward. Regulators should keep a wide array of investment incentives at hand to provide impetus for markets to innovate and transform while maximizing benefits to consumers.
  6. Policy and regulation should be adaptive, balanced and fit for purpose: Regulation-making is about flexibility – continually improving, refining, and adjusting regulatory practices. The balance in regulatory treatment of new services is more delicate than ever. A close, continuous link to markets and consumers is important to get digital on the right glide path to achieving social and economic goals.
  7. Policy and regulation should focus on building trust and engagement: Collaborative regulation provides the space for co-creating win-win propositions, working towards regulatory objectives while increasing the engagement of industry. Trust becomes the foundation of the regulatory process, underpinning the growth of digital.

Source: GSR-19 Best Practice Guidelines, “Fast forward digital connectivity for all”