Technology convergence may widen the digital divide

Technology is helping communication companies merge telephone, television and Internet services, however a push to deregulate may leave some clients on the wrong side of the digital divide while this convergence, according to a Penn State telecommunications researcher.

Example of abandoning obsolete innovation

Moving away from copper lines is an example of abandoning obsolete innovation and embracing technology in other words faster, better, cheaper and more convenient, said Rob Frieden, Pioneers Chair in Cable Television and professor of telecommunications and law. However the risk is that we may be creating a digital divide -- not necessarily a divide between the rich and poor, yet between the information rich and information poor.

Telephone companies are lobbying for government regulators to free them of their traditional role as a public utility, citing the convergence and availability of new communication technologies, just as cellular phones and fiber optic cable, that make copper-based telephone land lines obsolete, according to Frieden. Nevertheless, not all these alternatives are as affordable and as ubiquitous as copper landlines, a problem that could leave many rural residents underserved, he said.

The researcher

The researcher, who presented his critique at the End of the Phone System workshop held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, today, said that rural clients could replace land line telephones with cellular phones, for instance, nevertheless most cell phone companies charge a fee for each minute of use -- metering -- during most fees for land lines are unmetered and are paid through a fixed monthly charge.

Cell phone companies have these colorful maps that show how then they cover areas, Frieden said. However there are lots of places -- including places in rural Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York -- that do not have cell phone service, or offer limited services not suitable for broadband, Internet access.

Fiber optic lines are glass wires that can carry voice, television and Internet signals. To illustrate, fiber optic equipment is often used for Voice Over Internet Protocol -- VOIP -- a innovation that uses broadband Internet to carry such services as voice, texting and fax.

The phone companies are right

The phone companies are right, said Frieden. There are other forms of competition now, nevertheless these alternatives are not fair or adequate everywhere.

As communication technologies merge, telephone companies face stiff competition from cable companies, which are classified as information service providers by the government and face limited regulation. Frieden said that telephone companies, but, are regulated as a utility. As a utility, phone companies -- called carriers of last resort -- are obligated to provide service to clients. To increase profitability, telephone companies would like to be released from the carrier-of-last-resort designation that binds them to providing high-cost, labor-intensive telephone landline service.

Frieden said that the push to end the phone companys status as carriers of last resort may be the first step toward complete deregulation.

While telephone company lobbyists suggest that the market forces will ensure that all clients will in the long run receive equal service in a deregulated environment, Frieden is skeptical about this promise.