Universal service is the baby that must not be thrown out with the bath water of a dysfunctional regulatory system. In truth, no one knows how to accomplish this yet. It is therefore imperative that, in the public policy debate about broadband networks and increasing competition in local phone and cable service, the right to service must be given priority.
Predictor: Kapor, Mitchell
Prediction, in context:In a 1993 article for Wired magazine, Mitchell Kapor, a co-founder of the Electronic Freedom Foundation, writes: ”No one is promising that competition alone will ensure that everyone who wants service can get it, or that if it is available, it will be affordable. Universal service is the baby that must not be thrown out with the bath water of a dysfunctional regulatory system. In truth, no one knows how to accomplish this yet. It is therefore imperative that, in the public policy debate about broadband networks and increasing competition in local phone and cable service, the right to service must be given priority.”
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: Universal Service
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: Where is the Digital Highway Really Heading? The Case for a Jeffersonian Information Policy
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.03/kapor.on.nii_pr.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney