The cellular radio telephone, which can operate without wires throughout an entire metropolitan area and can make long-distance and international calls through the existing wired telephone network, is revolutionizing the mobile telephone industry. However, it is actually only the first step toward an international person-to-person communications…

A critique is presented of a book which discusses the video telephone. The critique takes issue with the authors' prediction of the technological inexorability of the video telephone. They also disagree with the book's statements about the impact of the video telephone on the communications behavior of individuals and industries throughout the…

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…

This review of the impact of the microelectronic revolution on the Canadian telephone industry focuses on the prospect of dwindling job security for telephone workers. Technical advances that are cited as having reduced the industry's job market include the dial telephone, direct distance dialing, directory assistance computerization, and…

This address by the chairman of the House of Representatives Science Subcommittee focuses on approaches to improving access to national networks, including legislation that would allow telephone companies to offer cable service. A hearing on the establishment of the National Research and Education Network (NREN) is summarized, and guiding…

Discusses the policy issues surrounding the provision of electronic information services by the Regional Bell Operating Companies and describes court cases, legislative activities, and key players. Concerns for librarians, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to service are noted; and a sidebar summarizes American Library…

The historic development of the cable phenomenon is traced through industry rhetoric that promised a multitude of services and "voices" in exchange for benign regulations. The current rhetoric of the "wired nation's" latest entrant into the broadband information delivery business--the telcos--also is examined in order to assess…

Discusses technological developments and trends in interactive television (ITV) and video on demand (VOD), and examines the hardware and software needed to make ITV and VOD available for consumer use, home entertainment, and education and information services. Reviews technological advances and research conducted by regional telephone operating…

This white paper informs Californians of the implications of the possible merger of Pacific Telesis and Southwestern Bell Corporation, under consideration by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The decision will determine the future direction and character of telecommunications in California. Only a small number of Californians are…

This paper reports the results of a survey of a number of high technology companies in Canada who were asked to provide information about their relationship with the educational system, the application of their products in education, and their views on the implications for education in general of the new technology in information and…

Discusses the emerging three-tiered structure (i.e., the "Baby Bells," network nodes, and information marketers) that will assume responsibility for implementing a new national information network and getting networked information to the public. The role of libraries related to networked information is also considered. (EA)

In this working paper on high technology industries, a few representative industries are studied in detail, while an overview is also given of the group as a whole. The overview, which highlights the findings of selected studies of the unique characteristics of high tech industries, considers such issues as locational factors, occupational and…