The need for commercial communications is expected to grow substantially in the future. Whether telephone companies meet most of this demand seems to depend on three major factors: regulatory actions, the development of alternative technology, and the telephone companies themselves. The Federal Communications Commission is considering requiring…

Changes in technology and the changing telecommunications needs of students, faculty, and staff are presenting colleges and universities with two challenges: organizational and technical. An integrated campus communications utility is described. (MLW)

This paper looks at nine states--California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Nebraska, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington--in an effort to find common themes in the processes and outcomes of post-divestiture state telecommunications policies. The possible consequences of current state policies are then discussed, and it is suggested that…

Complex systems such as telephone exchanges and computers consist of large numbers of simple components. Complexity theory seeks to establish the number of components needed to perform a given task. Numerous illustrations are included in the discussion of complexity theory. (Author/MA)

The purpose of this report is to assess the viability of developing commercial computer communications networks to provide communications services to the deaf community on a nationwide basis. Access to this network is considered for existing Baudot/Weitbrecht Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) and ASCII terminals with Bell modems. The…

Basic information about the characteristics, uses, and implications of communication satellites is presented. Characteristics covered include the various types of systems--such as point-to-point, distribution, and broadcasting satellites--and the flexibility, capacity, geographical coverage, cost and disadvantages of satellites. The section on…

Discusses organizational growth in communications in the context of technological innovation and institutional evolution. Notes that firms are conglomerating and elaborating their administrative structures. Focuses on these trends and how they affect the telecommunications community and the interdependent actions of government and business firms.…

Four papers consider competition, new technology and economics of local telephone companies in a deregulated environment: (1) "An Engineering and Policy Analysis of Fiber Introduction into the Residential Subscriber Loop" (Marvin Sirbu, Frank Ferrante, and David Reed); (2) "Competition in the Local Loop: Pricing Carrier Access"…

The papers from a conference on computer communication networks are divided into five groups--trends, applications, problems and impairments, solutions and tools, impact on society and education. The impact of such developing technologies as cable television, the "wired nation," the telephone industry, and analog data storage is…

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…

The web of relations among present and prospective changes in information systems provides a background against which public policy on information and telecommunication can be assessed. Telecommunication networks, broadcast regulation, and private line services all provide resources for news dissemination to the public. The costs, prices, and…

The final report of the President's Task Force on Communications Policy recommends strengthened federal powers to form public policy in telecommunications. Such planned policy would enable the private sector to reach its full capacities in the field by improving regulation when it is necessary and removing unnecessary regulation. Monopoly of…

A staff paper submitted to the President's Task Force on Communications Policy recommends that public policy ensure an integrated structure in the telecommunications industry, while fostering limited competition to keep the system responsive to new technology and to consumer demands. The present system of regulated monopoly for companies supplying…

The document contains the final four appendices to a staff paper submitted to the President's Task Force on Communications Policy. "The Digital Loop" describes changes in urban telecommunications which are predicted for 1970-80, considering three possible systems: paired wires with single analog signals (present telephones), coaxial…