World Telecom Meeting to Focus on Regulation

When telecom and tech leaders convene in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress, one topic will rise above the rest: regulation. Around the world, governments have different approaches to rule-making around the issue of network neutrality -- the idea that all traffic be treated equally -- a critical issue for mobile-device makers, telecom network providers and content distributors.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will give a live keynote address at the annual conference on March 3. It will be his first public appearance at an industry gathering after the landmark vote on network neutrality. At Mobile World Congress, Wheeler’s comments will be closely followed by global counterparts from other countries who are looking to develop their own set of rules. And the stronger Internet regulation in the US may spare other policy makers -- particularly those in Europe -- from US criticism. “Europe wants to use increased regulation as an excuse to regulate,” said Rajeev Chand, a managing director at boutique investment bank Rutberg & Co. “The top-line message is that Obama is regulating.”