U.S. – China Student Space Law Symposium: Studies on Legal System of Chinese Satellite Communication

March 3, 2010 at 11:36 am | Posted in Blogcast, Space Law | Leave a comment

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

Ms. Wang Qing of the Beijing Institute of Technology presented Studies on Legal System of Chinese Satellite Communication. Her paper focused on the three networks convergence which she noted had been slowed by policy and law problems.

According Wang, three network convergence refers to the convergence of the telecommunication network, the internet, and the TV Network. She said that China had already converged Telecoms and the Internet, but that the integration of the TV network was the next challenge.

Next she turned to legal issues that are involved in the convergence process. She noted that there was the lack of an overriding law to direct and restrict, but that correlative laws might emerge. She also said that there was a fragmented supervision system that is very complicated with multiple entities in supervisory roles.

She then gave an overview of network convergence regulations around the world and how those countries had developed their respective supervisory frameworks. She stated the European Union framework had proved to be one of the most stable. She noted that many countries combined their supervisory authrities into a single entity to achieve the convergence.

Finally, she made suggestions for regulatory changes to help streamling China’s convergence such as for promulgate a national law in conformity with three networks convergence; changing the license system; using legislation to encourage competition and to attract investment; and making sure that the public interest is protected during the process.