I agree with you that we are into an explosive growth cycle when compared to several years ago, but I think we still have some key situations holding us back from the growth to come. For one, since Congress passed the telecommunications bill, it seems there is a lot of confusion about how to go about taking advantage of it. Maybe not by some companies, but at least between the FCC, Congress, many companies, etc.
Also, we are moving from an "old", voice-based system to a new, high-speed, digital system. Copper is NOT the way to handle digital signals. We've done just about everything with copper to make it better, but we are running out of ideas. Replacing this copper will not be cheap or quick. Understandably, companies have to be careful how they manage this change. I think, when looking at this from a bird's eye view, the "global village" will only truly become that when we have a system in place that will give us reliable, high-speed, high-bandwidth, communications. Notice that many other foreign countries (I write this from the US of A) are upgrading their telecommunication systems in greater numbers. In some ways, our copper-based system is holding us back when compared to other countries. Companies have a lot invested in copper. We also have to be able to bridge systems which were developed separately.
I also agree with you that the growth will be something astounding. My reference to 2002 - 2003 is referring to the time when the industry (both domestic and world-wide) gets their goals in focus, understands how to reach them, and convinces the regulators how best to obtain them. They have to do this as partners both domestically and globally.
Thanks for the feedback.
walker |
