"Digital convergence can bring new revenues and productivity gains for all parties of the value chain, with opportunities not only for industry but for individuals and governments alike," said Ollila. "It can enable easy access to services that people want and need. Importantly, it can also be a major tool for social inclusion and wealth creation."
However, Ollila was clear that there were still a lot of regulatory problems to be solved along the way. "We need to eliminate the regulatory barriers to multi-platform service delivery. Where such regulations still exist, they prohibit, for example, Internet services over terrestrial TV networks. Furthermore, different delivery networks and terminals, which can distribute or receive similar services, compete with each other. The same applies to service provision and content creation. In these conditions it is important that regulators create a level-playing field for all the players in these new horizontal markets."
Ollila also stressed the need for global harmonization in spectrum allocation, bringing people access to services with their personal devices while on the move. At the same time, he questioned the rationale of traditional spectrum allocation methods, notably the negative economic implications of the extremely high up-front 3G auction payments — particularly in Europe.
"There are at least two important lessons to be learned from this," said Ollila. " Firstly, we should never make the same mistakes again. Secondly, to restore the confidence in these exceptional market conditions, governments should allow secondary trading of licenses and smooth consolidation of market players."