jane@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu (Jane M. Fraser) (06/01/90)
On May 15, CAST (the Center for Advanced Study in Telecommunications,
Ohio State University) sponsored a one day symposium: Broadband Fiber
to the Home and Office: Economic, Political and Cultural Implications.
The following posting, written by Thom McCain, Associate Director of
CAST, summarizes the presentations.
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The CAST Spring Symposium featured government, industry and academic
perspectives concerning Broadband Fiber to the Home and Office. The
May 15, 1990 session focused on the economic, political and cultural
implications of fiber optics, coaxial cable and direct broadcast
satellites for home and small business use.
Participants were welcomed by symposium coordinator Thom McCain. The
morning Keynote speaker was Robert Pepper, newly appointed Chief of
the Office of Plans and Policy, the Federal Communications Commission.
Pepper is also the author of the highly acclaimed background paper
``Through the Looking Glass: Integrated Broadband Networks, Regulatory
Policies, and Institutional Change." Pepper reviewed the long and
short range issues for the major player and the stakes which they hold
in the development of integrated broadband networks. The players
examined included: local exchange carriers, cable television
operators; broadcasters; program producers/distributors; regulators;
and users, including residential consumers.
Representatives from three of the key players with high stakes in the
future of telecommunications infrastructure each presented their
industries' vested interest. All agreed that the primary use of
broadband will be centered on entertainment video. Gary Nelson,
Senior Director, Broadband Technologies, Ameritech Services, presented
a compelling account of how broadband services will be brought to the
home with a combination of fiber trunk lines and coaxial cable for the
drop to the home. Brad Johnston, Senior Vice-President, Service
Operations, of Warner Cable Communications, presented Cable's view of
why their industry has the background and economic advantage to bring
entertainment programming to the home, provided they are not hampered
from doing so by restrictive regulation. Chuck Sherman, Senior
Vice-President, Television, National Association of Broadcasters,
presented a provocative and challenging argument to the Cable and
telephone interests, noting that only Broadcasting has a legacy of
bringing free television programming to the home. Sherman and the
other industry representatives agreed that local advertising and
programming will be part of whatever mix of technologies and players
eventually emerge.
In the short run all players were cautious about even the suggestion
of cooperative efforts. The difference in their perspectives has much
to do with the experiences each industry has had as a regulated
industry, with varying degrees of monopoly status. While broadcast,
telephone and cable service providers all see competition as central
to their futures, each sees different bumps in the road ahead. These
various roadblocks or impediments are seen as affecting the race
unfairly for their own entry. Each industry will be less wary as the
playing surface for this game finds its level.
The afternoon Keynote was provided by James Carey, Dean of the College
of Communications at the University of Illinois. Carey provided a
stimulating and thoughtful charge to participants to reorient thinking
about broadband technologies to focus on individual and societal needs
and uses, rather than only commercial imperatives. His lecture
``Framing the Cultural Issues - New Technologies in Old Bottles"
presented a series of concerns which communication professionals must
confront in order to be mindful of the relationship between good
citizenship, effective social relationships, educational needs and
consumerism. As one participant put it ``Dr. Carey's comments puts
tekkies like myself back down to earth, and I mean EARTH."
The final sessions included a panel of experts representing a variety
of perspectives and expertise related to design, economics,
engineering, regulation, lobbying, marketing and education. They all
used their experience to reflect on the future of integrated broadband
network, by reacting to a newspaper ``The CASTigator," published in
the year 2010. panel members included: John Fraser,
Telecommunications Engineering Consultant, Christopher H. Sterling,
George Washington University and Editor, Communication Booknotes, Dale
Bring, Ohio Association of Broadcasters, Carol Caruso, Ohio Cable
Television Association, and Mary Brandt, Public Utility Attorney.
Available on request from CAST are:
- Robert Pepper's background paper
- Copies of overheads used by Gary Nelson
- Copies of overheads used by Brad Johnston
- The CASTigator
Posted by Jane M. Fraser
Associate Director, CAST
210 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-4129
jane@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu