Bell Communications Research, the research arm shared between the seven regional Bell operating companies complains that the piecemeal evolution of the US telecommunications system has resulted in confusion, reports Electronic News. A meeting of Bellcore executives concluded that the diverse nature of the telecomms market had raised costs and has made it difficult to satisfy customer needs. Irwin Dorros, executive vice president blamed a combination of poor policy decision and industry protectionism for the confusion. Dorros listed local area networks, cellular, and network management systems as the worst examples of diverse approaches and pointed out that in 20 years most of today’s systems will have been replaced; he also called for a national policy to direct telecommunications to a blueprint formula. We must understand that by supressing some of our short-term views, the industry can expand to the benefit of all.
