Information Policy Hot Topic 2 - Primary Contribution

Part One: Are Internet2’s social and policy issues relevant beyond its own constituency?

Strover (1999) asserts that while the social and policy issues relevant to Internet2 are limited to its academic community, their impact will extend beyond it. Critics of university led network disagree and dismiss the project as a pricey, utopian solution. (Swartz, 1997). Many consider it as another way for universities and research labs to use taxpayer dollars to upgrade their own private networks. Participation in the Internet2 project provides member institutions with inexpensive high-speed connections to the Internet (Bushaus, 2000). For example, the cost of an OC-3 (155-Mps) or an OC-12 (622-Mps) connection to the Internet is ten times as much as the equivalent Internet2 connection.

The social and policy issues of the Internet2 will have little effect beyond its own limited audience. However, advances in technology and standards currently led by the private sector and existing standardization groups will greatly influence the Internet2 project. Unlike the early days of the Internet, Internet2 will play catch-up with private sector networks.

Part Two: Is the idea of a homogenous and unbounded global network unrealistic? What are the implications for global communications and information policy if it is?

Strover (1999) also asserts that the idea of a homogenous and unbounded global network is unrealistic. In drawing this conclusion, the author assumes that communications technology will stand still in the next five years. This is not the case. Technology will leapfrog current geophysical boundaries and provide a homogenous and unbounded global network.

For example, Teledesic LLC is building a global, broadband Internet-in-the-Sky network (Teledesic, 2000). The Teledesic network will consist of 288 low earth orbit satellites. It will support millions of simultaneous users. Most users will have 64 Mbps downlink and 2 Mbps uplink data transfer rates. Since users will connect to the network with small, low power terminals, and rooftop antennas, third world infrastructures and restrictive government policies will no longer limit access. Users worldwide will have uncensored access to the Internet. Teledesic will activate the network in 2005.

On Day One of Teledesic service, a homogenous and unbounded global network will exist. Once Web servers are orbiting as part of the network, the implications on global communications and information policy are immense. Perhaps this is why Bill Gates is investing so heavily in the project.

References

Bushaus, D. (2000). Internet2 Still Searches For Its Niche. Information Week. http://www.informationweek.com/778/internet.htm. Updated March 20, 2000. Accessed October 21, 2000.

Strover, S. (1999). Social and Policy Issues Regarding Internet2. Internet2 Sociotechnical Summit. http://www.mediatruck.com/internet2/post.conference/strover.pdf. Updated September 13, 1999. Accessed October 24, 2000.

Swartz, J. (1997). Need For Speed Spawns 2 Internets. The San Francisco Chronicle. http://lists.fsu.edu/pipermail/nolenet/1997-September/001370.html. Updated July 28, 1997. Accessed November 5, 2000.

Teledesic (2000). Overview. Teledesic.com. http://www.teledesic.com/about/over.htm. Accessed November 4, 2000.