Greenwood The Telecommunications Industry (Emerging Industries in the United States)

The telephone used to be a luxury item. Today, 95% of Americans have telephone service, and many carry their phones wherever they go. Few inventions have contributed more to modern culture and society than the telephone, yet almost no one recognized the true potential upon its introduction. This book presents the development of the telephone from its invention in 1875 to the present day. Over the course of the 20th century, the interactions between corporate, technological, and legislative and judicial factors determined the course of the industry. Battles were fought over patents, monopolies, regulation, and deregulation. AT&T became, for a time, the largest company in the world-and a protected monopoly. The move from monopoly to competitive services was long and difficult, and its complexity has only grown. McMaster considers the numerous roles of players who affected the industry, including telecommunications carriers―especially AT&T―the government and its agencies, and the courts. Technology's role is also examined throughout telephone's development and maturation. McMaster chronicles the fascinating story of the telephone's rise, its spread to ubiquity in today's society, and the billion-dollar industry it has engendered. This accessible history is ideal for students seeking a clear, concise introduction to one of the landmark American industries of the 20th century. Review ?[A] wealth of information in this volume on the history of the telecommunications industry from 1875 to 2000.?-Library Media Connection ?The Telecommunications Industry is a solid and accessible introduction to the history of this interesting American industry.?-The Journal of Economic History ?This is a factual and historical book that should appeal to researchers needing explanation of the regulatory atmosphere of the telephone industry. Recommended. Graduate and research collections.?-Choice "ÝA¨ wealth of information in this volume on the history of the telecommunications industry from 1875 to 2000."-Library Media Connection "[A] wealth of information in this volume on the history of the telecommunications industry from 1875 to 2000."-Library Media Connection "The Telecommunications Industry is a solid and accessible introduction to the history of this interesting American industry."-The Journal of Economic History "This is a factual and historical book that should appeal to researchers needing explanation of the regulatory atmosphere of the telephone industry. Recommended. Graduate and research collections."-Choice About the Author SUSAN E. MCMASTER is Senior Managing Economist at Criterion Economics./e She has worked for the FCC and MCI.