4

The Structure of the Communication Industries

August E. Grant, Ph.D.*

The first factor that many people consider when studying communication technologies is changes in the equipment and use of the technology. But, as discussed in Chapter 1, it is equally important to study and understand all areas of the technology ecosystem. In editing the Communication Technology Update for 25 years, one factor stands out as having the greatest amount of short-term change: the organizational infrastructure of the technology.

The continual flux in the organizational structure of communication industries makes this area the most dynamic area of technology to study. “New” technologies that make a major impact come along only a few times a decade. New products ...

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