Highway of Dreams: A Critical View Along the Information Superhighway

by Noll; A. Michael

• ISBN13: 9780805825572
• ISBN10: 0805825576
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-11-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This important volume reviews the history of the telecommunication superhighway pointing out its beginnings in the interactive TV and broadband highway of the wired cities more than two decades ago. It explains the technological uncertainties of the superhighway and many of its futuristic services, and also gives an understandable review of the technological principles behind today's modern telecommunication networks and systems. Recognizing that technology is only one factor in shaping the future, the author, a well-recognized telecommunications expert, analyzes the financial, policy, business, and consumer issues that undermine the superhighway. The book concludes by showing that today's switched telephone network and CATV systems already form a telecommunication superhighway carrying voice, data, image, and video communication for a wide variety of services that enable us to stay in contact with anyone anywhere on our planet. Highway of Dreamsis written clearly with understandable explanations for nonspecialists. It challenges the technological utopia offered by the promoters of the superhighway and suggests that consumer needs, finance, corporate culture, and policy often have far greater impact on the future than technology alone.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. iii
Preface	p. vii
Introduction	p. 1
Readings	p. 4
A Technological Utopia	p. 5
Readings	p. 14
Historical Perspective: Lessons from the Past	p. 17
Readings	p. 34
History Repeats Itself: Lessons from Today	p. 37
Readings	p. 52
Technological Uncertainties	p. 55
Readings	p. 69
Financial VIability	p. 71
Readings	p. 87
Consumer Need	p. 89
Readings	p. 103
Business Considerations	p. 105
Readings	p. 119
Policy and Regulatory Issues	p. 123
Readings	p. 141
The Internet Exposed	p. 143
Readings	p. 156
Pitfalls of Trials	p. 157
A Secret: the Superhighway Is Already Here!	p. 167
Readings	p. 183
Dreams of the Future	p. 185
A Final Perspective	p. 191
Technology Primer	p. 195
Readings	p. 209
Financial Tables	p. 211
Glossary	p. 215
Bibliography	p. 219
Index	p. 223
About the Authors	p. 264
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