Communications Outlook-1996-2006 Competition, Growth, Consolidation

摘要

This paper summarizes two recently publihed research studies on the future of the information industry. Today industry is based on information form. These forms (photography, printing, broadcast, analog electronics, data communications) have traditional vertical industries built around specific technologies. The impact of digital technology drives industry convergence into three major segments: content, transport, and applianes. Further, successful corporations must -- through alliances, mergers, and acquisitions -- become sufficiently strong to defend their markets. The overall marketplace is summarized together with competitive forecasts. Societal, economic, and trade impacts of the U.S. telecommunications infrastructure is presented together with forecasts of the state, ten years from now, of telephone, cable, cellular, and personal communications services companies. Overall, this paper provides an insightful look at the rapidly changing information industry.