The Medium; Global Technologies and Organizations

International Communication; Group 5^th

Name:

1.      Cecilia Pretty G. (120904564)

2.      Kinanti Danastri E. (120904565)

On those previous chapters the major concern were focuses on ownership, content, impact, flows, and cultural issues. Somehow, the communications infrastructure or the medium left behind to the technicians and engineers. But actually without the medium, our messages –ideas, knowledge, propaganda, etc. – would not transmit effectively while our communicants were out of our range.

That’s the simple logic about communications infrastructure, but anyway the mediums were not only positioned as simple as we mentioned above. However according to Marxism Theory, people who possessing production instruments were gaining more advantages rather than ordinary people. So, basically this phrase was applied into performing good governance. 

The main content on this chapter were talking about infrastructures and not to mention the major stakeholders in its regulation inside the evolution of telecommunication system. Hence the core nations move forward into the Information Revolution, the others –semi periphery and periphery, were also struggled to chasing the sun. And as the conveyor, we proud to present our study; so let’s begin.

We know that the primary global telecommunication agency under United Nation is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), but there are another players involved around; such as Intelsat. We’re not complete when abandoning another stakeholders which is concerning on how the communication infrastructures’ could affect the economic aspect, like World Trade Organization (WTO) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).    

Back of the strained situation between core and peripheral nations about NWICO, the misinterpretation over the policy lead both of them onto everlasting debate. Afterwards this war continued to another battlefield called International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The ITU established in 1865 (previously named International Telegraph Union) under the International Telegraph Convention signed by 20 European nations in Paris, and sponsors major global conferences that look at global technical standards and other issues affecting global communication (Mc Phail, 2006; 104). The headquarters is located on Switzerland and historically, the dominating issues of the meeting were like radio microwave interference among neighboring nations, technical standards, or equipment interconnection protocols. Little attention was paid to social, cultural, or economic concerns. As the times have passed, the issues broaden into regulatory procedures for settling differences between nations and for notifying, coordinating, and registering radio frequency assignments.  

They are also authorized to set new rules concerning technical and performance standards of communication systems, including satellite issues. Therefore the new developments in communication exercise profound influence on social, cultural, economic, and political organizations, thus affecting until radically transformed the way most people live and interaction between others and it environment.

Here some ITU major sectors (Mc Phail, 2006; 107):

·         Radio communications –focuses on satellite orbit issues and the international radio spectrum;

·         Standardization –focuses on internationally compatible rules and standards;

·         Development –recently established to provide greater leadership and concern for ICT matters affecting the periphery regions;

·         ITU Telecom –leaders from government and industry working together on major policy matters. 

·         Geo-stationary orbits –the satellites were placed on equator, and some delegates from it regions above the line asked for appropriate parking spot for future parking deployment. Once again the concern is about –not to trespassing your neighbors’ area– thingy.

·         The Maitland Commission –during 1980s the ITU established Maitland Commission, chaired by Sir Donald Maitland of the United Kingdom, derive to reduce imbalance privileges of communication infrastructures among core and peripheral.

Now let’s talk about another stakeholder, Intelsat. This organization was formed in 1965 in order to provide international satellite communication services (Mc Phail, 2006; 112). Different with ITU, United Nation is only a participant on this league. Owned and controlled by 144 member nations, it provided the satellite technology necessary to complete the global communication system. Without Intelsat assist, we would not able to enjoying internet services, make telephone call, or watching our favorite television programs.

Unfortunately Intelsat became a private company since 2001 incorporated in Bermuda with Comsat General Corporation. This new consortium plans to expand the fixed satellites services beyond 200 nations and territories.

A global village with a fractured ITU or an Intelsat weakened because of privatization would set the scene for potential chaotic, conflicting and competing assignments of the international frequencies related to electromagnetic spectrum. More attention to ITU and Intelsat issues by core nations will be required because the consequences of neglect could unbalance the global economy.

Story continues to another stage created by United Nations, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). We have been mentioned WSIS in the last two chapters but unclearly explained, yet left hanging with vagueness. WSIS divided into two phases, first held in Switzerland (2003), the second phase were on Tunisia (2005). Both phases coordinated by ITU.

In generality the Summit was about global approach to the impact of the Information Society. Particular attention discussions were e-learning, e-governance, e-media, and e-trade. The final goal is an action aimed at reducing the digital divided area contention.

Last but not the least is about World Trade Organization (WTO) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). We’ve mentioned above about organization that concerned on how the communication infrastructures’ could affect the economic aspect, so both of them were the players.

Since we already familiar with WTO stuff, better we elaborate further the OECD. Started with the goal to rebuild Europe, which is had been devastated by the war, the organization established immediately after World War II under Marshal Plan. Formed by 20 representative nations, later 10 additional members were joined. The membership is not limited for European country. Several countries from different continents also included to this “think-tank” club.

OECD members support research to develop international economic and social policy research. They investigate a broad spectrum of public issues that seek to identify the impact of national policies on the international economy, such as global trade including everything from internet.

Time passed and as a part of Information Society, we should look after this concern. Especially, monopolization of communication infrastructures by the core nations underlined into United Nations agency. Need further study for its substantial issue.

Literature:

Mc Phail, Thomas L. 2006. Global Communication Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.