Whether we are consumers, service providers, manufacturers, or policymakers, our interests are served by competitive environments that foster the growth of telecom and IT worldwide. We must work globally to eliminate bottlenecks to competition, liberalization, and private investment. Expanding our global information infrastructure is critical, not only because of business imperatives, but also because it will help us meet basic societal needs. A telecenter in a small farming village in Africa enables a family to reach distant relatives in times of emergency. Connection to the Internet can open a worldwide market to a small business or town.
Telecommunications can transform the economic health of a community.
It is therefore imperative that we commit ourselves to developing a truly inclusive and equitable infrastructure. The Clinton-Gore Administration recently reaffirmed its commitment to promote access to new technologies for people around the globe. Second, we should develop real-time digital translation to enable persons of all languages to talk to each other. Third, we must create a Global Knowledge Network so that education, health care, agricultural resources, and public safety resources can be shared worldwide. Fourth, we must use communications technology to ensure the free-flow of ideas and support democracy and free speech.