This book describes the transformation of telecommunications from national network monopolies to a new system, the "network of networks," and the glue that holds it together, interconnection. By their very nature, monopoly-owned networks provided a small number of standardized, nationwide services. Over the past two decades, however, new forces in the world economy began to unravel this traditional system. The driving force behind the change was the shift toward an information-based economy. Especially for large organizations, the price, control, security, and reliability of telecommunications became variables requiring organized attention. Thus, monopoly began to give way to the "network of networks," the foundation of today's telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. Taking a broad, multidisciplinary perspective Eli Noam discusses the importance and history of interconnection policy, as well as recent policy reforms both within the United States and around the globe. Other important topics he discusses include interconnection prices, the unbundling of interconnection, and the technology of interconnection. He concludes with an examination of social and policy issues, including the free flow of content, universal service and privacy protection, and the future of telecommunications.

Despite international labour federations and a greater ease of mobility around the world, union branches still often feel isolated from one another. Democratic and empowering, the Internet is now providing a wholly new framework for communication, policy-making and collective action. Written by a leading authority on labour and information technology, this book covers the background to and the politics of this electronic revolution in the labour movement. The author provides advice on cost-effective ways for unions worldwide to benefit from the innovations. He explores the ways in which unions have responded to the new technology, and covers the key features of the Internet, including e-mail, the World Wide Web, bulletin boards and user networks. No technical knowledge is required to understand the topics, and all terms are explained.