ISDN could easily be upgraded to a higher capacity once new markets open … ISDN is the best solution in light of the difficult economy facing the Clinton Administration.
Predictor: Kapor, Mitchell
Prediction, in context:In a 1993 New York Times article, John Markoff reports on the proposed information superhighway and quotes Mitch Kapor, a founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Markoff writes: ”The government should declare victory and get out,’ said Mitchell D. Kapor, a computer industry pioneer who co-founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The Washington-based foundation is conducting a campaign to persuade state and federal officials that the quickest way to a data superhighway is to permit the deployment by the phone companies of a digital technology called Integrated Services Digital Network (IDSN). Deploying this technology would offer a shortcut by using existing copper telephone cables to enable every home in America to have computer communications as easily as using a telephone and for just about the same price. But while the technology is largely developed, many people think it isn’t fast enough, and the phone companies have run into problems in winning approval from state public utility commissions on the proper rates to charge. Mr. Kapor said the ISDN could easily be upgraded to a higher capacity once new markets open. Those who back him say ISDN is the best solution in light of the difficult economy facing the Clinton Administration.”
Biography:Mitchell Kapor founded the Lotus Development Corporation and also founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation with WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link) members John Perry Barlow and John Gilmore in 1990 in direct response to a threat to free speech. He was an outspoken supporter of open access to the Internet, and was asked to speak in many venues about the issue, including Congressional hearings. (Pioneer/Originator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Pipeline/Switching/Hardware
Name of publication: New York Times
Title, headline, chapter name: Building the Electronic Superhighway
Quote Type: Partial quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=06df318c7c877e4f99b4d681fd5d7d8a&_docnum=11&wchp=dGLbVzb-lSlAl&_md5=fe0727c350edc2a7ea67660126e27835
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney