Loosening the shackles of regulation - The new radio and telecommunications terminal equipment (R&TTE) directive

For telecommunications terminal equipment such as telephones, fax machines and call routing switches, the latter part of the 20th century has seen the transition from monopoly to today's liberalised situation. This article ou tlines the background and evolution of the regulatory regime. it goes on to describe the revolutionary change that will take place across the European Community (EC) in April 2000 as a response to advancing technology and mar ket forces. The article concludes with an insight into global harmonisation .