Government should play a limited role in building the infrastructure but a huge role in setting the ground rules and incentives that will govern its construction. The federal government should set goals and facilitate improvements in telecommunications capabilities, set standards for interconnection, interoperability, and access, and set fund limits for pilot projects to demonstrate how new software applications and communications links can enrich the lives of ordinary Americans. Beyond that, the private sector must be the primary source for meeting our communications and information needs – guided, prodded, and, where necessary, mandated by federal government … Private industry, spurred by competition made possible by government policy and motivated by profits (that is, driven by fear and greed), can do a better job than the federal government
Predictor: Markey, Edward
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “The Information Revolution,” edited by Donald Altschiller, carries a reprint of the Fall, 1993 Issues in Science and Technology article by Rep. Edward J. Markey titled “A Legislative Agenda for Telecommunications.” Markey (D-Mass.), is the chairman of the subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He writes: ”The numerous new services being promised for the information age will require a robust physical infrastructure. Government should play a limited role in building the infrastructure but a huge role in setting the ground rules and incentives that will govern its construction. The federal government should set goals and facilitate improvements in telecommunications capabilities, set standards for interconnection, interoperability, and access, and set fund limits for pilot projects to demonstrate how new software applications and communications links can enrich the lives of ordinary Americans. Beyond that, the private sector must be the primary source for meeting our communications and information needs – guided, prodded, and, where necessary, mandated by federal government … Private industry, spurred by competition made possible by government policy and motivated by profits (that is, driven by fear and greed), can do a better job than the federal government at delivering communications and information services.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Role of Govt./Industry
Name of publication: The Information Revolution (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: A Legislative Agenda for Telecommunications
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 103, 104
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne