In the information age, telecommunications is the pillar of a strong economy. To developing countries, restructuring this industry is a necessary step toward integration into the world economy. Restructuring telecommunications, therefore, has been a pervasive issue in the economic reform programs of many countries in recent years. However, the nature of these changes has varied widely among these nations. "Unfinished Business" examines the process of reform in Mexico and contrasts it with that of the United States, Brazil, and New Zealand, examining both the economic and technological aspects of this highly complex situation.

Using interviews with key players in the policy process, Mariscal provides a detailed analysis of key elements and figures. Her multidisciplinary perspective allows for a full exploration of the international differences in telecommunications restructuring. Going beyond simply asking why privatization and deregulation policies were successfully implemented in Mexico, the work offers a comprehensive guide to the process and impact of policy choices on telecommunications development.

This book represents the first publication of the Regional Dialogue on the Information Society (REDIS-DIRSI), a regional network of leading researchers concerned with the creation and dissemination of knowledge that supports effective participation in the Information Society by the poor and marginalized communities of Latin America and the Caribbean. It reflects a diverse set of studies undertaken by DIRSI researchers under the common theme of pro-poor, pro-market ICT policies. This supports next-generation reforms that build on the achievements of market liberalization efforts but at the same time address the realities of what we call digital poverty - a concept that grasps the multiple dimensions of inadequate levels of access to ICT services by people and organizations, as well as the barriers to their productive use.