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Convergence
of different media like television, telephone and Internet has to be regulated. Convergence is driven by technological
developments. It is based on the assumption
that we can adapt all our
telecommunication and Internet devices to the same digital network. We already see this
happening. The
line between e-mail and a phone call seems to be blurring. Yet, the communicational
intentions of these converging
media are different. Therefore, regulators should make sure that after convergence, the currently available
communication functions remain provided. Let's
take a look at the different media.
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Television is by and large a passive medium. We sit and watch in order
to be informed and entertained.
Telephones are for the most part two-way aural interaction. We talk
with another person, exchanging ideas and information. It is interpersonal
communication.
Computers and the Internet are for mediated communication. We exchange
written communication in either a synchronous or asynchronous format. We
access various forms of media -- audio, video, text, image -- and can
occasionally send feedback. We swap files with other individuals or even
create our own web content for everyone to access.
By merging the three together, whole new communications networks are being
built that cross national and regional boundaries and link cultures. This
sounds like a positive thing but there are also the concerns that by merging
all these different media and networks together, we are shrinking the
communicational pie and allowing only a few powerful players to make
decisions about the media, communications and technology.
There is a
danger that these few powerful players will stop
fulfilling a communication need if they think it is not profitable enough. Also, big players, such as Microsoft,
would be able to influence the
communication flow and its content heavily, and not necessarily in the best interest for the people.
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Regulators
are supposed to ensure that we have a multiplicity of voices and perspectives
available in the media.
People are
increasingly dependent on communication technologies. The increasing
expectations for people to be available for the outside
world at all times, and the mounting costs of communications have triggered the Regulators to intervene. People spend a
significant amount of money every month
on telecommunications, Internet, broadcasting and satellite communications. Therefore, business
around telecommunications is enormous, and the high
entry barriers in some areas of this business could lead to the existence of only a few players that could execute
in some way monopolistic attitudes.
Regulators
have in their hands the responsibilities of administering the limit resource
of the electromagnetic spectrum that it is so central in
the business of telecommunications and the protection for the benefit of the
society of a pluralistic perspective so media and communications are not
concentrated in the hands of only few players that potentially could affect
the so necessary Diversity.
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