Steinfield, Charles

English

AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)

Association for Information SystemsAIS Electronic Library (AISeL)ICIS 1990 Proceedings International Conference on Information Systems(ICIS)1990PANEL 13 TELECOMMUNICATIONSREFORM IN EUROPE: IMPLICATIONS FORINFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENTCharles SteinfieldMichigan State University, USAFollow this and additional works at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/icis1990This material is brought to you by the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS) at AIS Electronic Library (AISeL). It has been acceptedfor inclusion in ICIS 1990 Proceedings by an authorized administrator of AIS Electronic Library (AISeL). For more information, please contactelibrary@aisnet.org.Recommended CitationSteinfield, Charles, "PANEL 13 TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM IN EUROPE: IMPLICATIONS FOR INFORMATIONSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT" (1990). ICIS 1990 Proceedings. 13.http://aisel.aisnet.org/icis1990/13PANEL 13TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM IN EUROPE: IMPLICATIONSFOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENTPanel Chair: Charles Steinfield, Michigan State University, USAPanelists: Peter Allen, American Express EnglandNicholas Costello, European Commission, Telecommunications Directorate, BelgiumAlain Vallee, Directorate for General Regulation, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication,and Space, FranceA decade ago, telecommunications services in European countries were provided solely by large, government ownedmonopolies. Known as PTrs (for Post, Telephone, and Telegraph), these organizations were generally regarded byfirms in the United States as restrictive, slow moving entities. Moreover, fragmentation caused by the many sovereignnations resulted in a multitude of standards, especially in the types and form of equipment that could be attached totclccommunication networks, the types of transmissions permitted on networks, and the costs of services.Today, however, the PTTs of Europe are experiencing unprecedented change. National governments have come torealize the strategic importance of the dynamic telecommunications sector for economic health and growth. Privatizationof government owned and operated telecommunications entities, as well as liberalization of the regulatory environment,have created competitive pressures that are making it difficult for the traditional P'IT structure to survive. Moreover,the plans to develop a single common market among European Community nations, where goods, services, and peoplecan Oow across national borders with no restrictions, are creating even greater pressures for change among the Prrs ofEurope.Companies in the United States, both those in the telecommunications sector as well as in other types of industries,must bc cognizant of the changes occurring in the European telecommunications scene. Not only will the strcamliningand harmonization of standards case the burden on information systems managers for multinational companies thatrequire telecommunications capabilities to many different locales in Europe, but also the newly created market ofapproximately 320 million people (and more if Eastern Europe is included) will present an attractive businessopportunity. Additionally, unified technological research and development efforts currently being undertaken in Europewill pose significant challenges to the telecommunications industry in the United States.This panel will examine the reforms taking place in the telecommunications sector in Europe. Panelists will approachthe topic form three major perspectives. Charles Steinfield of the Department of Telecommunication at Michigan StateUniversity will provide a brief overview of the types of developments taking place in the European telecommunicationsarena. Hc will set the stage for the cnsuing panel which will juxtapose the supranational, national, and user perspectivesagainst each other.Following ihe introduction, a representative from the European Commission's Telecommunications Directorate, NicholasCostello, will discuss the need for reform from the European Community (EC) perspective. He will focus on theeconomic importance of harmonization of standards and costs for Europe as a whole and argue that Europe can nolonger afford to compete globally with smaller national protected markets. He wiII further outline the steps taken bythe European Commission to promote EC-wide standards and services in telecommunications.The second position will bc taken by Dr. Alain Vallee, from the newly formed Dinction de la Reg/ententation Genera/e,in the French Ministry of Post, Telecommunications, and Space. France recently separated the regulatory authority fortelecommunications from the operational authority, France Telecom. Dr. Vallee will provide the dual perspective of thesingle nation and the national telecommunications supplier and will illustrate the tensions that exist between nationaland EC goals. He will focus on the initiatives undenvay in France that are helping France Telecom prepare for thecommon market.The final perspective will bc provided by Peter Allen, Manager of International Regulatory Affairs for American Express.As a rcpresentative of a large, multinational user of telecommunications, he will focus on both the potential benefits and324

PANEL 13 TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM IN EUROPE: IMPLICATIONS FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

https://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&amp;context=icis1990

PANEL 13 TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM IN EUROPE: IMPLICATIONS FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)