The future of telecommunications operator alliances
This paper deals with the issue of telecommunications operator alliances,and their relevance from the point ofview of globalization. Considering theimportance of symmetries in theoreticalphysics, we try to use a standard principle of symmetry, which can be simplytranslated in 'homogenisation of socioeconomic space', a new concept whichencompasses the convergence of social trends and economics. After studying telecommunications liberalisationin the US, in EU and in Japan, andanalysing the forces engendered by the homogenisation of socioeconomicspace, we conclude that telecommunications operators will have to reviewtheir alliances strategy to match this on-going movement.
Emerging Issues Surrounding the Convergence of the Telecommunications, Broadcasting and Information Technology Sectors
This paper attempts to address issues raised by the convergence of the telecommunications, broadcasting and IT sectors. The approach taken is to provide an analysis of the path to convergence, with the assertion that the United States NII initiative was in many respects the catalyst for the whole process. The American vision of the information age is contrasted with the European Union's version, which highlights not only the strategic importance both place on the new communications world but also the differing emphasis placed on social needs in the new world. To provide a better understanding of the whole subject area a basic analysis of the sectors preconvergence is provided, with particular emphasis on the pre-convergence regulatory structures in the UK, European Union and United States. Consideration is given to the whole philosophical issue of how the converged industry should best be regulated, whether by strong regulatory controls or by competition law. This will highlight many of the tensions in this field of activity. The main thrust of the paper is that proper analysis and discussion have not so far been made in what is an area of fundamental importance for the whole of the world's population. Vital issues affected by convergence which are addressed, include social exclusion, cultural imperialism, universal service and public service broadcasting, citizenship and democracy. Without proper debate it is premised that gigantic transnational corporations will eventually control the converged industry, with national governments impotent to prevent abuse of the power such corporations will wield. The implications of this are profound, with democracy itself potentially hanging in the balance.
Epoch-making decision in internetworking: NTT's open network declaration from a historical perspective
Heated debate still continues in Japan as to whether or not the world largest common carrier Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, NTT, be divested. As NTT's declaration of network opening (hereafter open network declaration, or OND) was made public in the midst of this controversy, it was sometimes mistaken as a counterproposal to escape from breaking up. However, its significance will become apparent when we trace the history of interconnection as well as competition in Japan. This article tries to identify several precedents of network opening, and to place OND appropriately in the public policy under competitive environment. The first section analyzes the performance of the telecommunications market and points out how barriers to competition have been eliminated or kept intact since its liberalization in 1985. The second section observes liberalization from a longer-term perspective, beginning in the early '70s, and describes how computer communication developed. The third section surveys how OND may change the business environment. The final section draws attention to the future, when many subnetworks are interlinked through OND, and emphasizes the importance of a dispute-settling mechanism for interconnection.