This paper is the first in a series of occasional staff working papers on significant telecommunications and information policy issues. The series will give NTIA's professional staff an opportunity to do independent research on subjects of interest to the agency, the Administration, and the telecommunications policy community. The paper is not intended to present an official agency position on the issues discussed herein, so the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of NTIA or the Clinton Administration. The objective of this and future papers is to stimulate debate with the hope of forging a consensus on regulatory policies that will promote development of an innovative, robustly competitive telecommunications and information industry.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an Executive Branch agency within the Department of Commerce, is the President's principal advisor on domestic and international telecommunications and information policy. The Office of Policy Analysis and Development conducts research on domestic telecommunications and information issues in support of NTIA's advisory responsibilities.

Larry Irving
Assistant Secretary for
Communications and Information

Kathryn C. Brown
Associate Administrator
Office of Policy Analysis
and Development

National Telecommunications
and Information Administration

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