They will eventually be able to select news topics from a menu on their television screens, then access background stories, sidebar material and special interest information. Services and functions offered on the information highway could bring dramatic social benefits with minimal negative impact. They can help educate, generate jobs, improve the delivery of government services and make it easier for the disenfranchised to participate in society. Physical access involves the provision of the terminal equipment and the connection to the network. It is the most likely to be provided.
Economic access is mentioned less often, but it is critical.
One doesn't need a Ph.D. in communications theory to recognize that near universal affordable access to the telephone forms an important part of Canadian life. So it will be with access to services on the emerging networks. I think not. Let me provide a simple example that illustrates the importance of this issue. Technologically, there is no significant difference between the telephone companies in Europe and Canada.