Archives: Expert Predictions

What I envision for the future is a network of competing communications networks made seamless and transparent by government standards and operated and maintained by private government standards and operated and maintained by private industry. This competitive marketplace will benefit consumers small and large by yielding better service at lower prices. The phone companies can compete and win in that environment and so can cable companies, wireless companies, long-distance providers, and many others who have the know-how to give consumers what they want.

Government should play a limited role in building the infrastructure but a huge role in setting the ground rules and incentives that will govern its construction. The federal government should set goals and facilitate improvements in telecommunications capabilities, set standards for interconnection, interoperability, and access, and set fund limits for pilot projects to demonstrate how new software applications and communications links can enrich the lives of ordinary Americans. Beyond that, the private sector must be the primary source for meeting our communications and information needs – guided, prodded, and, where necessary, mandated by federal government … Private industry, spurred by competition made possible by government policy and motivated by profits (that is, driven by fear and greed), can do a better job than the federal government

How do we ensure that out communications infrastructure serves today’s needs as well as tomorrow’s visions? … The critical requirements for infrastructure are that it be universally available, reasonably priced, and capable of providing short-term advantages within five years and full advantages within 10 years. Virtually everyone agrees that we need a long-term strategy that will result in a system of integrated phone, video, radio, and information services … On the question of RBOC entry into long distance, I am not persuaded at the present time it would be good for consumers if the RBOCs were permitted to offer long-distance services … I propose that local telephone companies be permitted to enter the cable business only in the old-fashioned way – by building a new system. They should not be allowed to enter by buying an existing cable system.

We must prevent deficiencies in the communications infrastructure from stalling or derailing the transition. And we must make certain that this transition does not leave behind huge segments of society. In short, our goal is to progress smoothly toward and national communication and information infrastructure that becomes the “electronic highway” that our nation can ride into the 21st century.