Industry in transition: telecommunications-yesterday, today and tomorrow

The changes that followed the divestiture of AT&T five years ago are examined. It is concluded that while the worst fears of competitors, regulators, and rate payers have not been realized, neither have the full benefits of an integrated information society. It is suggested that the primary reason for the lack of progress in realizing the public benefits of divestiture and deregulation is the failure of national telecommunications policymakers to jointly develop and agree on a vision for the USA telecommunications industry, and to articulate the policy goals required to fulfil that vision. The outlook for the next five years is discussed, stressing the importance of the public policy environment with respect to both regulation and international trade.<
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