Abstract
A brief review of the development and nature of universal service obligations in the network industries is linked to a discussion of the development of the policy notion of the consumer and the paradigm of the 'circumspect and informed consumer' of EU and national consumer law. These twin themes are then considered in relation to the triangular relationships that apply to both economic (network) and social (public)services that are subject to marketised provision models. A focus is drawn to universal service obligations within the network sectors, and their role in protecting (in terms of access and affordability)the 'vulnerable consumer citizen'. This is then contrasted with ongoing developments concerning the marketisation of social services where such mechanisms for legal/regulatory protection of the 'vulnerable citizen consumer' are not so apparent.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 19 Nov 2014 |
| Event | Round Table Discussion on Universal Services and Citizenship - University of Sussex, Brighton Duration: 19 Nov 2014 → … |
Workshop
| Workshop | Round Table Discussion on Universal Services and Citizenship |
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| Period | 19/11/14 → … |