We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The Regulatory Status of the Computer Utility.
- Authors
Irwin, Manley R.
- Abstract
The concept of the computer utility has received relatively little attention beyond acknowledgment from the scientific community. This article seeks to evaluate the policy implications of the computer utility. It will define the concept, outline the case for regulation and evaluate regulation and competition policy alternatives. It will conclude that in the foreseeable future the computer utility does not appear to fit a "natural monopoly" format. Diagnosing policy alternatives for multiple access computer systems is obviously difficult at this stage of the industry's growth. The economics of firm-sharing should give momentum to further cost reductions, leaving communication costs a dominant element almost by default. The regulation may follow the computer utility simply because the communication common carriers themselves are candidates for such services. A limited number of data suppliers, the question of information integrity, the diversification efforts of the common carriers tend to supersede traditional requirements usually held essential for a utility franchise.
- Subjects
UNITED States; COMPUTER service industry; EXPERT systems; CARRIERS; INDUSTRIAL policy; COMPETITIVE advantage in business; GOVERNMENT policy on economic competition; COST control; DISTRIBUTORS (Commerce); RETAIL franchises; COMPUTER systems; GOVERNMENT policy
- Publication
Land Economics, 1967, Vol 43, Issue 2, p223
- ISSN
0023-7639
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/3145246