The objective of this book is to present a comprehensive evaluation of the smart revolution, including its social and economic impacts. It proposes a modern framework to help assess how recent information and communication technologies (ICTs) can contribute to societies as a whole. The authors offer a guide to how advanced network technologies have led to a greater variety of applications and social networking services. These allow people to connect with each other both at a more personal and global level, and will ultimately herald a new era of ICTs that will shape the 'digital society'. This essential resource will appeal to academics, government officials and practitioners in telecommunications and media. Contributors: H. Ahmad, E. Bohlin, T. Bunno, M. Cave, M. Ehrler, N. Freund, H. Fuke, T. Garin-Munoz, C. Gijon, K. Hatta, A. Henten, H. Idota, T. Jitsuzumi, N. Kasuga, M. Kimura, C. Kongaut, Y.-L. Liu, R. Lopez, M. Lundborg, G. Madden, H. Mitomo, K.-Y. Na, A. Nakamura, T. Otsuka, T. Perez-Amaral, E.O. Ruhle, N. Sakurai, M. Shishikura, M. Sugaya, R. Tadyoni, K. Takachi, M. Tsuji, C.-H. Yoon

This book deals with the implications of convergence in communications. A wide-range of papers by expert scholars and inside policy analysts have been selected in order to capture the convergence issue from a number of perspectives, and to achieve a historical state-of-the-art. The book represents a holistic approach to convergence, bringing to bear a number of critical perspectives: economics, engineering, business, organization theory, psychology, policy analysis, and even analysis related to international relations. The volume succeeds in providing a multi-faceted and rich view of convergence, and also on issues beyond convergence. "Convergence in Communications and Beyond" will be a useful tool for schools of communication, centers for telecommunications studies, business schools, policy departments, telecommunication operators, suppliers and consulting companies as well as libraries and organisations interested in communications.

The effects of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on globalization, innovation, growth and productivity are immense. ICTs contribute to the globalization of production and capital markets by reducing the cost of information and communication. These technologies have certainly made it easier for multinationals and other companies to spread production facilities all over the world, to co-ordinate international marketing campaigns, and to ease collaboration in projects taking place on different continents. While the anti-globalization movement may claim otherwise, individuals and consumers also have much to gain from the internationalization of trade and commerce. Using the Internet, consumers can today find products on sale in other countries or not available in their own countries, and compare their standard of living to those of others. It is also, as a result of the Internet, much easier for consumers to become better informed. As a result of this increased access to information, markets work more efficiently. Furthermore, globalization has speeded up the diffusion of innovation, bringing new knowledge, products and services to developing countries in months rather than years or decades. This book deals with the implications of a global economy and the emergence of a society permeated by information and communication technologies. The book includes a special focus on telecommunications markets and policy and on user perspectives. The editors have been careful to select a wide range of papers by expert scholars and policy analysts in order to capture the book issues from a number of perspectives. The book represents a holistic approach, bringing to bear a number of critical perspectives: economics, engineering, business, organization theory, psychology, policy analysis, and security concerns. The volume succeeds in providing a multi-faceted and rich view of the book topic.

This volume of papers by leading telecommunications experts from around the world addresses in an integrated fashion the ongoing transformation of telecommunications. The book covers technology, economics, the law, and other social sciences and focuses on both theory and policy. Major topics include the impact of new technology on networks and users, network evolution and firm structure and strategy, pricing and interconnection, demand and policy for the Internet, and competition and the United States Telecommunications Act of 1996. The papers in this book represent a unique integration of topics, appropriate for a converging industry, and they also include the first wide-ranging analysis and critique of telecommunications policy in the United States following the 1996 Act.