Brookings: Topics - Telecommunications

Foreign Policy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:23:32 GMT

The U.S. and the international community face great challenges in the 21st century—globalization offers more freedom and prosperity, but also new threats to our security. The Foreign Policy Studies scholars and research help policymakers and the public address these crucial issues.

Improving Broadband Innovation and Investment

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 09, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Broadband and wireless technologies are key elements of our nation’s economic, social and civic development. With the Federal Communications Commission’s stated goals of bringing broadband access to all Americans, it is crucial to determine how to be innovative when investing in broadband infrastructure. On November 9, the Brookings Institution hosted a policy forum to examine this issue and to discuss ways to overcome barriers to developing this infrastructure.

Expanding the Financial Services Frontier: Lessons From Mobile Phone Banking in Kenya

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Access to financial services is crucial to economic growth and poverty reduction, yet a large proportion of households in developing countries lack access to financial services. Brookings expert Mwangi Kimenyi and Njuguna S. Ndung’u, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, discuss the Kenyan experience with mobile phone banking and how this technology can expand the financial services frontier.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on Improving Broadband and Mobile Communications

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 21, 2009, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Recognizing the need to expand the U.S. broadband network to ensure America’s infrastructure and economic development, Congress tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with developing a national broadband plan by early 2010. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski delivered remarks at Brookings on the national broadband plan and other communications issues.

What Consumers Want From Mobile Communications

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress tasked the FCC with developing a national broadband policy by February 17, 2010 to boost our nation’s communications infrastructure and long-term economic development. Darrell West explores in a new study what consumers want from new mobile communications in the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, and Spain and how these results demonstrate the virtue of innovation and open networks for communications policy.

Investing in America’s Infrastructure

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:45:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 25, 2008, 8:45 AM to 12:30 PM

The state of the nation’s infrastructure is generating rising public attention, prompted by daily travel frustrations, high-profile catastrophes, urgent calls to address climate change and energy security, and concerns about productivity and economic growth. The Hamilton Project released six new policy papers and hosted a public forum on the need for a national strategy that promotes infrastructure as a central component of long-term, broadly shared growth.

An Economic Strategy for Investing in America's Infrastructure

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Infrastructure investment has received more attention in recent years because of increased delays from road and air congestion, high-profile infrastructure failures, and rising concerns about energy security and climate change. Manasi Deshpande and Doug Elmendorf discuss a strategy for America to increase investment in physical and telecommunications infrastructure to spur a more prosperous economy.

Technical Difficulties

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Crandall discusses telecommunications regulatory policies in the European Union and critiques a proposal to enforce functional separation on the broadband market.

An Antitrust Analysis of Google's Proposed Acquisition of DoubleClick

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Telecom Time Warp

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Crandall and Hal Singer argue that, eventually, either the FCC or the courts will realize that regulating competitive telecommunications networks for the benefit of select content providers is not in the interest of American consumers.

Earmarked Airwaves?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Robert Hahn and Hal Singer (06/27/07)

The Effects of Broadband Deployment on Output and Employment: A Cross-sectional Analysis of U.S. Data

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Crandall, William Lehr and Robert Litan discuss how high-speed internet access has developed rapidly in the last decade and is increasingly viewed as essential infrastructure for our global information economy.

Some Internet Mergers Deserve a Careful Look

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Op-ed by Robert Hahn and Robert E. Litan (May 2007)

Extending Deregulation: Make the U.S. Economy More Efficient

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Since the 1970s, deregulation has succeeded in increasing overall economic welfare and sharply reducing prices, generally by about 30 percent, for transportation—including air travel, rail transportation, and trucking—and for natural gas and telecommunications. Few industries remain subject to classic economic regulation in the United States.

The Myth of Network Neutrality and What We Should Do About It

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Litan and Robert Hahn examine the Internet industry today, especially in light of the current "network neutrality" debate, and conclude that further regulation of the Internet is not warranted at this point in time.

Economists' Statement on U.S. Broadband Policy

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this statement, a group of economists make the following recommendations to improve the competitive provision of broadband services.

The AT&T/BellSouth Merger: The Breakdown of 'Breakup'

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This week's stunning announcement by AT&T that it had reached an agreement to acquire BellSouth for $67 billion is surely an affront to proponents of a strong antitrust policy for two reasons.

The Big Telecomm Mergers: Nothing to Fear

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Robert Litan writes that the FCC-approved mergers of AT&T and SBC, and MCI and Verizon are a profound reshaping of the large companies that provide communications services. But, while these mergers certainly merit a watchful eye by antitrust authorities and regulators, the new facts in telecomm should significantly ease concerns that the mergers are anti-competitive.

Competition and Chaos : U.S. Telecommunications since the 1996 Telecom Act

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In Competition and Chaos, Robert W. Crandall analyzes the impact of the 1996 Telecommunications Act on economic welfare in the United States and how the act and its antecedents affected the major telecommunications providers.

The End of the Road for Long-Distance Companies...and Most Telecom Regulation

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall reviews the telecommunication regulatory debate with a merger proposal from the two largest companies.

The Coming Democracy : New Rules for Running a New World

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

New in Paperback

Political analyst Ann Florini sets forth a compelling new paradigm for transnational governance. It is based on the concept of transparency, the idea that the free flow of informationon topics ranging from corporate

The Proper Direction for Telecommunications Reform Legislation

Tue, 14 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

In his presentation, Robert W. Crandall argues that regulators should be required to "open up" the local market through mandated unbundling, allowing entrants an entry toe-hold on the way to facilities-based competition.

Internet Telephones: Hanging up on Regulation?

Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall, Robert W. Hahn, Robert E. Litan, and Scott Wallsten examine whether there is a need to regulate Voice over Internet Protocol.

Charles Ferguson and the "Broadband Problem"

Sat, 15 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall discusses Charles Ferguson’s book that advocates a major increase in government intervention in the U.S. market for high-speed, "broadband" Internet services.

Bandwidth for the People

Sat, 15 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall, Robert W. Hahn, Robert E. Litan, and Scott Wallsten discuss the important distinction between the economical and the uneconomical provision of broadband.

Broadband Policy and the Future of American Information Technology

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony of Charles H. Ferguson (04/28/04)

The Broadband Problem : Anatomy of a Market Failure and a Policy Dilemma

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

As the Internet revolution continues to unfold and transform telecommunications, pressure is building for faster, less expensive, and more widely accessible broadband service. This new book analyzes the markets and policy issues underlying the broadb

Do Unbundling Policies Discourage CLEC Facilities-Based Investment

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Robert W. Crandall, The B.E. Journals in Economic Analysis & Policy (4/29/04)

The Uncertain Future of the Telecommunications Industry

Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Policy Brief #129 by Robert E. Litan and Roger G. Noll. (January 2004)

Costly Exercises in Futility: Breaking Up Firms to Increase Competition

Mon, 15 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall argues that the government should not try to break up telecommunication companies to make the industry more competitive, but instead, the government should let the companies compete among themselves for customers.

Turmoil in Telecomm: Will Washington and the States Move Forward on Reform?

Tue, 02 Dec 2003 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 02, 2003, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

The Uncertain Future of the Telecommunications Industry

Tue, 02 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Robert E. Litan and Roger G. Noll (12/02/03)

Broadband Communications

Thu, 01 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Robert W. Crandall for The Handbook of Telecommunications Economics, Vol. II (5/03)

No Two-tier Telecoms

Fri, 07 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

An opinion piece by Robert Crandall, March 7, 2003

Debating U.S. Broadband Policy: An Economic Perspective

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #117 by Robert W. Crandall (March 2003)

Broadband : Should We Regulate High-Speed Internet Access?

Mon, 13 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

There is widespread concern in the telecommunications industry that public policy may be impeding the continued development of the Internet into a high-speed communications network. Broadband policy is controversial in large part because of the diffe

The Telecommunications Crash: What To Do Now?

Sun, 01 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #112, by Robert Litan (December 2002)

The U.S. Broadband Problem

Mon, 01 Jul 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #105, by Charles H. Ferguson (July 2002)

A Somewhat Better Connection

Sat, 01 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Robert W. Crandall (Summer 2002)

The United States Broadband Problem: Analysis and Policy Recommendations

Fri, 31 May 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper by Charles Ferguson, Nonresident Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, May 31, 2002

Broadband Policy: Do We Really Need Legislation?

Mon, 18 Mar 2002 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 18, 2002, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Satellite Merger Will Hurt TV Viewers

Sun, 16 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Robert E. Litan, Vice President and Director, Economic Studies, The Brookings Institution, in The Chicago Tribune, December 16, 2001

Exporting U.S. Telecom Policy: The Case of Local Telecommunications

Wed, 12 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Robert W. Crandall (12/12/01)

Is Structural Separation of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers Necessary for Competition?

Fri, 28 Sep 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Robert W. Crandall and J. Gregory Sidak (9/28/01)

Relieve the Spectrum Shortage

Thu, 15 Feb 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings economists and others encourage the Federal Communications Commission to advance the public interest by eliminating barriers to the productive use of radio spectrum.

Deregulation of Network Industries : What's Next?

Fri, 25 Aug 2000 00:00:00 GMT

This volume addresses deregulation in the airline, railroad, telecommunications, and electric power industries and identifies the next steps that policymakers should take to enhance public welfare and stimulate competition in the provision of these services.

Who Pays for Universal Service? : When Telephone Subsidies Become Transparent

Thu, 22 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT

The authors show that the widely-defended practice known as &universal service& forces its intended beneficialriespoor and rural householdsto pay far more for telephone service than they would if prices reflected the true cost of service.

OECD Communications Outlook 1999

Sat, 01 Apr 2000 00:00:00 GMT

This book presents the most recent comparable data on the performance of the communications sector in OECD countries and on their policy frameworks. It examines the major changes and future trends in the telecommunications industry and explores devel

Who's Afraid of the TV Networks?

Thu, 09 Sep 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Who's Afraid of the TV Networks?"" Wall Street Journal Opinion Piece by Robert Crandall, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution.

Managed Competition in U.S. Telecommunications

Mon, 15 Mar 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Robert W. Crandall writes about the dangers that are now apparent in the "deregulation" of telecommunications.

The Telecom Act's Phone-y Deregulation

Wed, 27 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT

The Telecom Act's Phone-y Deregulation

Unleashing Telecommunications: The Case for True Competition

Mon, 30 Nov 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #39, by Robert E. Litan and Roger G. Noll (November 1998)

Unleashing True Competition in Telecommunications

Fri, 20 Nov 1998 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 20, 1998, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Unleashing True Competition in Telecommunications

Fri, 20 Nov 1998 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 20, 1998, 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

The 1996 Telecom Act Three Years Later

Sun, 01 Nov 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Update of Are We Deregulating Telephone Services? THINK AGAIN, policy brief by Robert Crandall

Will This Merger Open Markets?

Fri, 26 Jun 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Robert Crandall, The Brookings Institution

Are We Deregulating Telephone Services? THINK AGAIN

Sat, 01 Mar 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #13, by Robert W. Crandall (March 1997)

Talk is Cheap : The Promise of Regulatory Reform in North American Telecommunications

Tue, 13 Feb 1996 00:00:00 GMT

This book reviews the recent changes in the structure of U.S. and Canadian telecommunications industries and the changes in regulatory policy on both sides of the border. The authors contend that for decades misguided regulation of the telephone sect

After the Breakup : U.S. Telecommunications in a More Competitive Era

Wed, 30 Jan 1991 00:00:00 GMT

In this book, Robert W. Crandall examines the effects of the AT&T breakup and weighs the costs and benefits to the residential and business consumer.

Changing the Rules : Technological Change, International Competition and Regulation in Communications

Wed, 22 Mar 1989 00:00:00 GMT

The papers in this book were first presented at a conference organized by Robert Crandall and Kenneth Flamm, pulling together a group of industry professionals and scholars to address the far-reaching implications of the upheaval in the communication