Threading the needle from ‘interoperability’ to ‘gatekeeping’: quest for a layered model

Figures & data

Figure 1. Cloud ecosystem (with internal and external elements) Source: Constructed by the author.

Figure 2. IoT layers (with the cloud layer) Source: Constructed by the author.

Table 1. Potential gatekeepers and gatekeeping activities across the layers Source: Constructed by the author.⁴⁴

Layers	Potential gatekeepers	Potential gatekeeping activities
Content	Content providers	Providing premium content to affiliated ISPs, CAS or platform providers e.g. in exchange for priority placement
Application	App providers	Developing apps to interoperate only with certain OSs, browsers or search engines
Middleware	Search engine providers	Selective ranking favouring subsidized content, ads or web services
	OS providers	Discriminatory supply of certain functionalities to the affiliated CPs, app providers or network operators
	App store providers	App prioritisation, delaying or blocking based on the app or app type
	Browser providers	Selective or strategic browsing favouring certain web sites, their ads or ad-blocking apps
Access	CAS providers	Denial of access to several set-top boxes, including APIs and EPGs, or discrimination in the ranking of the access-authorized content
	ISPs	Blocking, throttling or delaying certain/unaffiliated content
	Network operator	Refusal to supply network e.g. NGN interfaces to the competitive service providers

Figure 3. Main features of the layered regulatory model Source: Constructed by the author.

Figure 4. Key stages of the layered regulatory model Source: Constructed by the author.