Number: RS20319
Title: Telecommunications Services Trade and the WTO Agreement
Authors: Bernard A. Gelb, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: World telecommunications services trade is growing and evolving very rapidly, appearing to corroborate expectations that the 1997 international agreement to liberalize trade in basic telecommunications services would greatly increase world trade in those services. The agreement, under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is expected to benefit the highly competitive U.S. telecommunications industries and facilitate world economic growth. Congress, as nearly always, is concerned that trading partners adhere to their commitments.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated December 23, 2002