The convergence of computing and telecommunications systems

Since we do not know of any complete ly workable solutions to the problems we have considered, we shall settle for a few general observations: 1) The public availability of socially useful computer communications ser vices is and has been held back by legal battles that are now under way between the potential suppliers. 2) No simple resolution of these issues in the near future seems likely in view of the past conceptual separation of com puters and communications doctrines. 3) The current policy is to determine whether the nation shall or shall not have certain computer communications ser vices, by the adversary process. In this process, often only the voices of the loudest adversary suppliers are heard. 4) Although there can be no certainty that better alternatives cannot be de vised, we believe that such a possibility assumes a higher probability if the key actors come from the technical commu nity sectors more representative of the future consumers. 5) If we are to have the new services that are possible, we need an approach that makes better use of the tech nologists' dreams and goals rather than have future prospects excessively bound by lawyers paid to preserve the interests of their clients, irrespective of any secondary consequences. 6) We cannot be sanguine about this possibility, as technological statesman ship is too easily corrupted by the same forces that have placed us in this predica ment. Furthermore, even if not corrupt ed, beneficial cooperation can too read ily be regarded as simply collusion. 7) Although we do not have any clear answer, we do know that present ap proaches are not taking us where we want to go very rapidly and that alterna tive approaches should at least be considered.