The reagan era: An overview of U.S. telecommunications policy

Abstract

In 1981, a study commissioned by U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) noted that U.S. private sector was understandably confused about where to go to seek objective comprehensive information and assistance regarding U.S. telecommunications policy. International PTTs (Ministries of Post, Telephone and Telegraph) had similar difficulty, seeing several U.S. agencies divide authority for developing international telecommunications policy a conflicting and often confusing manner. In 1983, NTIA issued a report that concluded that dispersal of responsibility for formulating telecommunications policy prevents United States from responding effectively to changing telecommunications market, and also adversely affects ability of U.S. firms to function effectively abroad. In 1983, late Malcolm Baldridge, then Commerce Secretary, testified before Congress that 1980 U.S. exported $25 billion information-related technology and merchandise. In addition, telecommunications services were responsible for a substantial percentage of 1980 total for all U.S. service exports estimated at $60 billion. By 1990, Baldridge projected, telecommunications equipment and services may very well be our most important export. We are rapidly realizing Secretary Baldridge's projection as new telecommunications technologies United States continue to influence nature of economy and culture, as well as educational and political processes. Due to number and diverse orientation of U.S. policy-formulating agencies, it requires some effort to track telecommunications policy issues and decision making. There is no single source, or comprehensive compendium of specific telecommunications policy decisions and up-todate status of policy in works available. The Public Service Satellite Consortium's National Center for Telecommunications and Information Policy reached this conclusion after an extensive review of literature and interviews with key staff more than eight government agencies concerned with telecommunications. All of these agencies participate the ongoing process of telecommunications policy development United States. Therefore, it is vital for telecommunications planners and businesses, whose decisions depend upon accurate and timely understanding to have access to up-to-the-minute information. To this end, Center, with assistance from Cohn & Marks, has assembled following chronolo-