The NII is based on the convergence of telecommunications, video, and computing technologies. Whereas there is a surfeit of regulation governing telecommunications and video, computing has, to date, thrived under an explicit U.S. policy of limited intervention. Therefore, one of the main issues in the convergence of communications and computing is how to create an appropriate policy and regulatory structure to optimize the benefits of the NII. The development of the NII is at a crossroads. Major mergers, such as the proposed AT&T/McCaw and Viacom/Paramount/NYNEX agreements, demonstrate the onrush of converging technologies and media; they are outpacing government attempts to shape relevant policy.
The Annenberg Washington Program convened this conference in the context of Washington's potentially most active period in telecommunications policy since the early 1980s, when divestiture was announced and the procompetition revolution was in full tilt. The conference was designed to provide a platform for the public policy discussion under way in Congress, in the Clinton Administration, and at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Annenberg Senior Fellow Janice Obuchowski chaired the day-long conference. Speakers included representatives of the Clinton Administration and Congress, as well as industry, academic, and consumer groups.
The day began with three telecommunications and technology policy leaders, representing both the Clinton Administration and the Republican leadership, presenting their views on the major issues to be addressed in order to create the NII. Panel discussions ensued. The first panel of the day focused on the needs of users. In this way, a predicate based on the reality of the emerging information marketplace was established prior to addressing policy areas of conflict and concurrence. The focus then turned to the broad class of providers poised to deliver this infrastructure. Cable, computer, alternative access, and local exchange companies, as well as the provider of Internet's backbone network were represented. The last panel of the day included officials from the federal and state governments, who are responsible for establishing the policies that will promote development of the NII.