re: FYIFrance: new French Info.Superhighway/Autoroute (pt.1of2)

"Les Autoroutes de l'Information...": "Information Superhighways are
social mechanisms", and the dangers of a "two - speed society"


The French government, at the beginning of this year, asked Ge'rard
The'ry, their "father of the Minitel", for a report on the future of
networked information in their country. This report just has been
released. It makes fascinating reading, particularly for those who now
are very concerned about the future of the US "NII / National
Information Infrastructure", under the recently - acquired US
Republican orientation. The French, even the conservative French, have
some different approaches. What follows is a summary of the "Rapport
The'ry", by the able editor of the BIBLIO-FR e - conference, Herve' Le
Crosnier. The translation, and blame for same, is mine. Copies of the
full Rapport The'ry may be ordered via Minitel from 3615 DOCTEL:

_Les autoroutes de l'information: Rapport au Premier Ministre_ /
Ge'rard The'ry; Alain Bonnafe' (rapp.) et Michel Guieysse (rapp.) - La
Documentation Franc,aise, 1994. 127 p. 70 francs (Rapports Officiels)


Jack Kessler

kessler@well.sf.ca.us

***

Summary of the Rapport The'ry (Fall, 1994)

by Herve' Le Crosnier (translated by Jack Kessler)

In his introduction, Ge'rard The'ry sets the stage: "The revolution of
the year 2000 will be that of Information for All. Comparable in its
range of new technical capacities to those of the railroad or of
electricity, the Information for All revolution will be more profound
in its effects, for the telecommunications networks today constitute
the nervous systems of our societies."

"The development of digitization, associated particularly with the use
of fiber optics, will provide a veritable liberation."

Two concepts are articulated throughout the entire document:

1) the "Autoroutes de l'Information", which are conceived as fixed
infrastructures, all are to use fiber optics and ATM techniques;

2) "Multimedia" is defined as an "interactive service using digitized
supports for the treatment and transmission of information in all its
forms."

Ge'rard The'ry's argument is presented in three chapters:

1) _A Universal Challenge_, presents the economic, cultural, and geo -
political aspects of the "Autoroutes de l'Information";

2) _Important Advantages_, analyzes the current position of France;

3) _The Necessity for an Ambitious Strategy, Using All Available
Means_, outlines a strategy of development.


1) _A Universal Challenge_

The report analyzes the strategies undertaken by the main developed
nations: the US, Japan, Great Britain, and Germany. The effects of the
general deregulation under way in telecommunications are examined
sceptically: competition remains limited, and the former operators of
national monopolies continue to hold de facto power in their zones of
influence, which points inevitably to their consideration as the
principal actors in the deployment of any "Autoroutes de
l'Information".

The "Autoroutes de l'Information" rely on techniques which already have
been prepared, notably on three recent advances:

a) the compression of digitized images;

b) ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), the new method of transport put
into operation by the CNET (France Te'le'com), which will be at the
heart of the "Autoroutes de l'Information";

c) fiber optics.

According to Ge'rard The'ry, the construction of "Autoroutes de
l'Information" constitutes an irreversible phenomenon, already launched
in the renovation of telephone networks and the irresistible emergence
of multimedia. Even if television eventually takes to the "Autoroutes",
multimedia will continue to be distinguishable from t.v., notably in
anything requiring interactivity, which is part neither of the culture
nor of the technical approaches (cable and wavelength networks) of the
traditional telecommunications mass media.

The "Autoroutes de l'Information" are social mechanisms, which, while
permitting the progress of knowledge and access to culture and
education, also will increase the performance of companies and make an
appreciable contribution to the general quality of life, notably by
introducing a new organization into the relation of work to location.
The influence on the workplace is emphasized.


2) _Important Advantages_

The report analyzes the potential markets, which correspond to five
categories of service:

a) Services of Information and Entertainment

Print publishing will find here an opportunity for a new positioning,
and it is necessary to involve them from now on in developments. Book
publishing, notably that of reference works and school and general
educational works, also is concerned with television, with companies
involved in imaging, and with videogames.

b) Inter - Corporate and Inter - Administrative Services

The question of Management Information, needed by both private
companies and public entities, is raised here.

c) Commercial Services which deal with the Public

Financial services (banks, insurance), sales organizations and home /
consumer services will find a means of enlarging the positions which
they already have achieved through the Minitel.

d) Public Services

These can find opportunities for renewal. Educational services and
"tele - medicine" will be among those benefiting, along with libraries
and museums.

e) Telecommunications

Finally, the "Autoroutes de l'Information" permit the transformation of
telecommunications services, using leased lines for companies and
visiophones for private individuals.


(end of Part 1. In Part 2, the conclusion of Le Crosnier's summary of
the Rapport The'ry, some references to discussion, and the announcement
of an upcoming conference on the subject).

***
 
France e - newsletter        ISSN 1071 - 5916
 
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