Universal service in the Brazilian model of telecommunications reform

Abstract

One of the most relevant targets of the reform of telecommunications inBrazilrefers to expand, as much as possible, the access of citizens to this service, regardless of income and location. The Universal service of telecommunications is a social policy which is a common element within international experience. This article introduces the main theoretical justifications regarding this type of policy, the characteristics encountered in theUSandUKand the critiques  of current economic literature which we will be addressing in the implementation of universal service in the reform of telecommunications inBrazil. Furthermore, this work will stress theoretical discussions and experiences of countries which are related to the funding of universal service, its distortions and trade-offs with other goals of reform, such as the introduction of competition.