International trade in telecommunications services in the context of economic digitalization: key issues and trends

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze trends and systemic problems in international trade in telecommunications services in the digital economy. The study is based on the application of methodsfor analyzing statistical data from international organizations (UNCTAD and the International Telecommunication Union), comparative analysis of the dynamics of countries' export and import operations, systematization of regulatory practices in different jurisdictions, and generalization of the results of industry studies by analytical companies.

Results. A shift in centers of economic influence has been identified: the United Kingdom and the United States remain the leading exporters, but Kuwait is showing the most dynamic growth thanks to its developed digital infrastructure. Three categories of barriers have been systematized: regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership and data localization requirements, technological challenges of the digital divide and cybersecurity, and economic problems of price competition and the high cost of radio frequency spectrum. A gap between the pace of technological change and the adaptation of legislation has been identified. The main trends in the development of the industry have been identified: technological convergence of terrestrial and satellite communication systems is forming new segments of international trade; the strengthening role of cloud providers is transforming the competitive landscape; market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions creates both opportunities for large-scale infrastructure investments and risks of restricting competition.

Conclusions. International trade in telecommunications services is undergoing a period of fundamental transformation under the influence of digitalization, which requires a review of traditional regulatory approaches and the creation of coordinated international coordination mechanisms. Technological convergence and the emergence of new business models are transforming the competitive landscape, creating both opportunities for innovative development and risks of fragmentation of the global digital space due to national restrictions and the lack of unified standards.