Since it became a reality just before World War II, terrestrial microwave has improved in systems and equipments, but with the improvements have come higher costs. Television microwave costs are so high because users are demanding more capability, land prices have increased, operating costs are higher, and there is frequency congestion along many…

Projections about the growth of the telephone industry from 1970-1985 were made from forecasts of five panels of experts, in five areas: (1) the regulatory environment; (2) changes in U.S. society; (3) existing networks and services; (4) future networks and services; (5) future characteristics of the labor force and employee-management relations.…

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 Senate hearing on the cable porn and dial-a-porn control bill is presented in this document. Opening statements by Senators Jeremiah Denton, Arlen Specter, and Jesse Helms discuss the need for this bill and its content. The text of the bill itself is included. Jack D. Smith, General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)…

Prepared by a consultant for the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (ATT), this memorandum contends that recent decisions by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have violated the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 that assured the maintenance and improvement of the integrated switch telephone network managed by ATT and its…

A bibliography lists works on two-way electronic conferencing, as well as several general works on telecommunications. It is in three parts. The record identifications (RECID) index is a list of 168 references to books, parts of books, journal articles, conference papers, news items, and unpublished papers. The author index relists the entire…

Three papers consider various aspects of the AT&T (American Telephone and Telegraph Company) court-ordered divestiture. The first paper, "InterLATA Toll Alternatives for the Bell Regional Holding Companies" (Elizabeth A. La Blanc, Ann M. Wolf, and Richard M. Wolf), examines six options available to the RHCs (regional holding…

Three papers consider the provision of telephone service to rural and/or low income customers. The first paper, "An Analysis of Telephone Penetration" (Alexander Belinfante), analyzes the relationship between telephone penetration (the proportion of households with phone service) and prices, household income, and other factors. This…

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)

Discusses deregulation of the telephone companies and describes information services being offered by the new Regional Holding Companies. Topics addressed include cable services; the information superhighway; voice mail and messaging; electronic delivery of telephone books; multimedia compact disc-interactive; videotex services; and news services.…

Examines the interactions between the physical and social aspects of the telephone. (JMF)

Surveys the differing opinions on the value of universal telephone service and examines to what extent society should continue the policy of universal service in the information age. Identifies the different approaches that have been put forth to achieve, maintain, and fund universal service in a telecom industry increasingly driven by competition…

This technological assessment of the video telephone discusses in some detail the basic principles of video telephony, the many forms of video telephones, as well as competing and complementing technologies. The development of related and supporting technologies and the institutional and regulatory setting of the medium are also reviewed. The…

Addresses problems, concerns, and ramifications of the creation of new area codes so existing seven-digit numbers can be reused and solutions to help the depletion of toll-free 800 numbers. Examines effects of these changes on businesses and their phone customers, telephone companies, and patron questions to libraries. (JMV)

Reports on a case study of editorial ethics involving newspapers and the Michigan telecommunications bill. Finds that the press had a vested interest and that its coverage was biased against the telephone industry. (TB)