ABSTRACT
For most persons, the term telecommunications means little more than plain old telephone service; and a telecommunications policy issue is whether the telephone company should be allowed to implement one of its recurring increases in basic telephone rates. The technological revolution that began with the Second World War was not confined either to conventional forms of telecommunications, such as analog voice telephony, or slow speed digital telegraphy, or even to the telecommunications field at all. The acquisition, exchange, and use of information have already become critical functions within an increasingly complex world society. The chapter focuses on the negative aspects of Bell's prior performance, because these aspects constitute the most significant public policy challenges. Industry legislative campaign initially attracted a significant number of Congressional endorsements. Following the Hush-A-Phone decision, the Federal Communications Commission began to be somewhat more responsive both to consumer needs and to potential new suppliers of telecommunications and related equipment and services.
