Consumer protection in the Hong Kong telecommunications sector : implications for competition policy
Date of Award
2007
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Philosophy (MPHIL)
Department
Economics
First Advisor
Professor Edward Chen
Second Advisor
Professor Lin Ping
Abstract
Competition policy is meant to ensure a level-playing in the market, but its ultimate goal is to enhance consumer interests. The telecommunications sector is one of the two sectors that have set up a competition policy in Hong Kong. This paper examines the current competition policy framework in the telecommunications sector by analyzing the level of consumer protection using the Structure-Conduct-Performance Paradigm. It examines in detail the consumer related complaint cases received by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority in four markets: fixed line telephone services, mobile phone services, International Direct Dialing services, and Internet services. Regression analysis results reveal that more competition in a market has a positive and significant effect on the frequency of complaints about misleading or deceptive conduct on the part of operators in the period from 1999 to 2006. Also, smaller and newer operators tend to receive more complaints. From the lessons we have drawn from the telecommunications sector, a more comprehensive policy coped with consumer protection regulation is needed in order to better promote consumer interests in Hong Kong.
Keywords
Consumer Protection, Competition Policy, Structure-Conduct-Performance Paradigm
Copyright
The copyright of this thesis is owned by its author. Any reproduction, adaptation, distribution or dissemination of this thesis without express authorization is strictly prohibited.
Recommended Citation
Cheung, C. Y. C. (2007). Consumer protection in the Hong Kong telecommunications sector: Implications for competition policy (Master's thesis, Lingnan University, Hong Kong). Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.14793/econ_etd.12