Changing markets and institutional inertia: A review of US telecommunications policy

Abstract

It has been impossible in the USA to achieve a good match between the policies pursued with respect to telecommunications markets and the public interest. The institutional responses to new needs and opportunities have been too limited in scope, too late in coming and too insensitive to the underlying problems. This article sets out the record of telecommunications regulation since the second world war, explains why fundamental changes are on the way, and draws some lessons for the future.