Compiled by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, this book consists of testimony presented by executives of that company before the House Communications Subcommittee on issues raised by H.R. 13015 (the Communications Act of 1978). Some of the topics discussed include the value of a regulated monopoly in telecommunications, the danger of…

The press of telecommunication technologies and their progeny have undermined the natural monopoly basis for long distance telecommunications and customer premise products, forced open regulatory doors, toppled barriers to market entry, and led to the reshaping of regulatory philosophy as regulators have seen new, wider horizons for the industry.…

Analyzes the communications policy review process since the 1960s, encompassing task forces, Congress, and the Federal Communications Commission. Concludes that the process "has been doing little more than seeking a means of negotiating the conflicting needs of the major industrial interests already in control of most aspects of American…

Addresses shifts in basic telecommunication common carrier regulatory policies over the past decade; technological and economic changes prompting these policy shifts; major regulatory action resulting from these policy shifts; and the emerging regulatory issue of alternatives to local telephone service and its possible implication for online…

Two papers present arguments for and against the Communications Competitiveness and Infrastructure Act of 1991 (S. 1200). Topics addressed include earlier policy recommendations, competition in the telecommunications industry, benefits of video dial tone availability, telephone company participation in video services, restrictions on telephone…

In this paper, the tools of legal and economic analysis are used to analyze the division of decision making authority between state and federal regulators of telecommunications policy. First, the principles of welfare economics are applied to the problem of defining appropriate jurisdictional boundaries. The results of this analysis are normative…

Describes educators' fear that a government proposal to help accommodate new Web-surfing cell phones and other hand-held devices could end up displacing instructional-television operations. The proposal could also undermine partnerships that educational broadcasters have begun negotiating with companies to create new speedy Internet services. (EV)

Discusses federal regulation of cable television. Topics addressed include Congressional legislation; Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines; pricing; conflicts between broadcasters and the cable industry; the telephone industry's entrance into the cable market; and possible effects of regulatory changes on educational television. (LRW)

As new technologies find new markets, the telecommunications field must deal with definitional problems and with challenges to existing regulation. This paper looks at the fields of cable television and telecomputing, and approaches to their regulation, in order to shed light on the question of telephone companies' (telcos) potential involvement…

This document consists of 26 miscellaneous conference papers that consider various aspects of telecommunications policy, as follows: (1) "New Communications Systems and Services" (Baer); (2) "Regulatory Incentive Mechanisms and Political Action" (Baron); (3) "Efficiency Issues in Competitive Allocation of the Broadcast…

These two articles explore the arguments for and against the liberalization of natural monopolies in general and the privatization of the telecommunications industry in particular. The discussion covers the reasons for and consequences of deregulation of telecommunications in the United States, United Kingdom, and other Western European countries.…

In order to realize the full potential of this evolving information age and make its capabilities available to the greatest number of consumers, the telephone companies must be permitted to participate fully in the information and information-related markets. Indeed, a principal issue during this period of rapidly changing market conditions is the…

Industry structure studies prior to 1968 are briefly reviewed, and an overview of industrial and technological developments up to the present is provided through synopses of more recent studies. Areas covered include overseas telephone and record carriers; the creation of the Communications Satellite Corporation; the current regulatory and…

This document presents witness testimony and supplemental materials from a Congressional hearing regarding legislation to reform national telecommunications policy. Most of the proposed changes would allow Americans greater freedom to choose among communication products and services. Among the topics this hearing addresses are increasing…

Discusses the development of a national information superhighway. Highlights include the National Information Infrastructure; NREN (National Research and Education Network); private networks, including Prodigy; repositioning in the telecommunications industry, including telephone, cable, and entertainment companies; government regulations;…