WTO principles and telecommunications in developing nations: challenges and consequences of accession

The accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of developing nations brings into sharp relief the successes and shortcomings of the General Agreement on Trade in Services, which attempts to balance the concerns and interests of developed and developing nations alike. This paper reviews some of the key social and economic issues that arise in the field of telecommunications generally and specific issues facing developing countries arising from WTO accession and implementation of WTO principles. Lastly it considers the WTO decision in the US-Mexico dispute.