FUSIONS OF INFORMATION TYPES, MEDIA AND OPERATORS, AND CONTINUED AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The new information economy consists of three interlaced dimensions: i nformation, media and operators, Current processes make it difficult t o distinguish between types of information and their transmission medi a, thus facilitating various fusions of information types, media and o perators, These developments are related to American leadership. Telec ommunications has been characterized by the supremacy of the USA in al l of its operational phases: innovation, production, marketing, adopti on and use, Recently, American leadership has moved from the productio n of telecommunications hardware to information production and transmi ssion, within ever growing flexible systems of operation, The continue d predominance of the USA in information production and distribution c onstitutes a process of mutual reinforcement, raising concern in sever al countries over 'cultural imperialism' and reinforcing global centre -periphery relations. The new WTO agreement may enhance fusion process es. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.