Convergence and Regulation Initiative

The strategic working plan proposal for the development of the audiovisual and telecommunications sectors in an atmosphere of technological convergence motivated the 'Convergence and Regulation' initiative, object of the collective dispatch of the Presidential and Social Equipment Ministries dated the 26th of June 2001.

Under cover of this initiative, contributions of a group of personalities of renowned merit and experience in the communications and media sectors, designated by dispatch of the Presidential and Social Equipment Ministries, will be collected along with those of representatives of the different interests present.

Considering the position assumed in the sectors in question, particular importance is given to the collective action of the Instituto da Comunicação Social (ICS) and the Instituto das Comunicações de Portugal (ICP), which were given the responsibility of creating a joint working group aimed at identifying the relevant questions raised by convergence.

The list of questions raised should be completed by the 30th of September 2001 and will serve as a basis for reflections, observations and contributions, which in turn will be formulated by the 31st of December by the group of personalities of renowned merit.

Subsequently, the ICS-ICP work group will then prepare a document, which will be open to public consultation, beginning at 15th of February 2002, for a period of 60 days, with the final result being submitted to the Government not later than the 31st of May 2002.

The Chairmen of the ICS and ICP, responsible for ensuring the functioning and coordination of this Initiative 'Convergence and Regulation' have named their representatives to be integrated into this working group, which has been carrying out its activity within the bounds of a pre-defined first stage which terminates on the 30th of this September.

The composition of the group is as follows:

ICS
Nuno Conde
Carlos Landim
Carla Martins

ICP
Luís Filipe de Menezes
Mário de Freitas
Eliseu Crespo