Overview

This book describes the transformation of telecommunications from national network monopolies to a new system, the network of networks, and the glue that holds it together, interconnection. By their very nature, monopoly-owned networks provided a small number of standardized, nationwide services. Over the past two decades, however, new forces in the world economy began to unravel this traditional system. The driving force behind the change was the shift toward an information-based economy. Especially for large organizations, the price, control, security and reliability of telecommunications became variables requiring organized attention. Thus, monopoly began to give way to the ""network of networks"", the foundation of today's telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. Taking a broad, multidisciplinary perspective, Eli Noam discusses the importance and history of interconnection policy, as well as recent policy reform both within the United States and around the globe. Other important issues he discusses include interconnection prices, the unbundling of interconnection and the technology of interconnection. He concludes with an examination of social and policy issues, including the free flow of content, universal service and privacy protection, and the future of telecommunications.

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9780262140720

Table of Contents

Reviews

This book is clearly a must read not only for professors and students but also for operators and regulators struggling to find workable solutions to real-world problems on how to get the best out of the 'network of networks.' --Bertil Thorngren, Director, Center for Information and Communications Research (CIC), Stockholm School of Economics This erudite, well-written book discusses a crucial subject, covering issues from King James's time to the present day, focussing on how to manage interconnection. There is no one better than Eli Noam to chart the progress of telephony from monopoly vertical integration to a global, competitive, interconnected network. A must read for all telecoms experts and would-be experts. --Leonard Waverman, Professor of Economics and Director, Global Communications Consortium, London Business School

"""This book is clearly a must read not only for professors and students but also for operators and regulators struggling to find workable solutions to real-world problems on how to get the best out of the 'network of networks.'""--Bertil Thorngren, Director, Center for Information and Communications Research (CIC), Stockholm School of Economics ""This erudite, well-written book discusses a crucial subject, covering issues from King James's time to the present day, focussing on how to manage interconnection. There is no one better than Eli Noam to chart the progress of telephony from monopoly vertical integration to a global, competitive, interconnected network. A must read for all telecoms experts and would-be experts.""--Leonard Waverman, Professor of Economics and Director, Global Communications Consortium, London Business School"

Author Information

Eli Noam is Director of the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, Garrett Professor of Public Policy and Business Responsibility, and Professor of Finance and Economics in Columbia Business School at Columbia University.

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