Telecommunication
Abraham Romero
NTC/362
June 22, 2015
Thomas Krawczyk

Telecommunication
In this presentation we will discuss the different forms that telecommunication has taken whether it be the electronic telegraph, telephone, radio, television, or the internet. We will discuss each of these individual forms of telecommunication as well as discuss some of the issues these devices/services gave birth to. Telegraph
The telegraph is the first device we will be discussing down our trip through telecommunication. Now while many of you are aware of the telegraph some of you are unaware that the science of telegraphy has been around for hundreds of years dating back to the 1800’s. The device we are all familiar with is the electric telegraph, which was developed and patented by Samuel Morse. The telegraph utilized wires to send electrical signals to a specific device. The signals, which were written in Morse code, would allow individuals from two separate locations to communicate with one another. The device became a hit and was slowly incorporated into many different countries such as the United States and England. This device was revolutionary since prior to its inception the only means to receive news was to send letters view messengers. This method was outdated since it would take time for a messenger to ride to and from specific locations. During that time things may have changed and a new letter may be needed. An example of this can be seen in Samuel Morse’s life. Prior to developing the telegraph Samuel was a painter. During his painting career he received a message about his wife and her failing health. Samuel rushed to his wife’s side only to find out she died while on his trip to see her and was promptly buried. This tragedy led Samuel to question whether or not there was a way to convey messages in a faster manner. Thanks to this idea and the help from a scientist named Thomas Jackson who helped demonstrate the copper cables ability to transmit information instantaneously the electric telegraph was born. Telephone
The telephone was an invention created by Alexander Graham Bell with the purpose of sending speech electronically between two separate locations. The device was created during the 1870s and was officially patented by Alexander on March 7, 1876. The telephone much like the telegraph was revolutionary. This device allowed individuals to communicate with one another over large distances without any issues, or hassle. Though the telephone was amazing it took some time for it to surpass its predecessor the telegraph. However, after some time the telephone became a staple of society and became a monopoly. Telephone Legal Issues
As the telephone became more and more popular it sprouted a monopoly, which was handled solely by AT&T. AT&T managed this monopoly with a certain type of shrewdness. The company ensured that if you wanted their service you would pay whatever price they demanded as well as only buy telephone products from them. To not pay the cost, or use outside products for your service would lead to AT&T removing your service. However, many different legal actions set down by both the FCC and the courts helped to overturn these harsh policies. For instance the “890 Megacycles Decision” was enacted to allow companies the ability to build their own private telephone lines. This was to help companies build lines to remote locations AT&T would not reach, or overcharged to contact. Another major policy that came into effect was the “Carter phone Decision.” This decision allowed individuals to incorporate foreign extensions to their telephones. This decision came down after AT&T forbade the use of any “foreign” equipment in their phone service since it would cause problems to the lines/service. Any individual caught utilizing these pieces of equipment would have their service removed. However after a deep analysis it turned out that these extensions caused no harm and would be allowed to be used. AT&T was forced to comply but added a new policy forcing individuals to buy a connector that would connect the new extension with the original phone.
AT&T tried very hard for many years to remain unchallenged. AT&T forced people to buy products solely from them as well as charged certain fees to different individuals. It wasn’t until 1977 that the monopoly was shaken. In 1977 the “Excunet Decision” came into effect allowing other companies to compete with AT&T over the telephone monopoly. Though this did not remove AT&T from its high place it did allow hundreds of different companies to rise and compete with AT&T. It is thanks to this decision that many companies we see today have the ability to be in this monopoly. The Radio and Television
As telecommunication continued to evolve two separate entities were born the radio and the television. Though both were released during different times they both served a purpose of communicating, educating, and entertaining the masses. The radio was created by Gugliemo Marconi in 1895 and was designed to receive radio waves and convert the waves into sound. This device was a staple in many homes and allowed families to hear music news, and even stories. An instance of this entertainment can be seen in Orson Welles’ radio story. The story was about a Martian invasion of earth. The story was so good that many people who did not hear the opening introduction about the fiction of the story believed it to be real, which in turn caused quite a bit of panic and hysteria. Now while the radio was used for entertainment it was also used to convey news and messages. For instance many American’s found out about the Pearl Harbor bombing by the news report. This led to each citizen within America knowing of the atrocity of the attack almost simultaneously. It’s quite amazing though how in the span of perhaps an hour the entire populace of America learned of the same piece of news instantly.
Television as we all know is a device that converts signals into sound and images. However back in the day it was not as beautiful and amazing as it is now. Initially the devices were big, had small screens, and showed images in monochrome (black and white). Televisions were also not as popular as radios were. Back in the day televisions were quite expensive and it was more practical to have a radio rather than a television. However, over time televisions became a staple and people from all over the world could witness events miles and miles away from them. Scenes such as a presidential speech, or the launching of a rocket, which previously could only be viewed by traveling to those locations could now be viewed in the comfort of a home. Now people could see what was going on around the world rather than just hear about it and imagine. The Internet
The final telecommunication we will review is the internet. The internet was not meant to be what it is today. Initially it was created to help the government communicate in the case of a nuclear war. This early version of the internet was dubbed ARPANET. Now over time developers like Robert Khan and Vincent Cerf began to build on top of the ARPANET and slowly molded it into an early version of the internet. Users began to utilize this new network and began sending electronic mail otherwise known as emails. Over time the internet would continue to evolve until it became the behemoth it is today. As of today the internet connects billions of people together allowing communication of all kinds to be sent daily. Videos, pictures, emails, and even calls can all be shared with the power of the internet. However, though the internet is one of the greatest telecommunication inventions of all time it doesn’t mean there were not any issues. When the internet was on the rise some companies began the practice of showing unequal/unfair treatment. Companies would slow down the speed of other companies, or charge them too much. The reasons for this can vary whether a competitor paid for this unfair treatment, or the company in charge did not like a certain item. Regardless the unfair treatment needed to end and the Net Neutrality Act was enacted. The Net Neutrality Act specifies that all governments and internet providers will provide everyone with the same speed as well as charge everyone equally regardless of what they may be, do, or represent. This Act has ensured everyone is treated equally and properly. Failure to abide by this act can result in hefty fines and penalties. An example of this can be seen this year when AT&T/Sprint was caught slowing down the speed of users who used their services too often. The company was forced to give all their clients equal speed and was charged 100 million dollars. Conclusion
It’s amazing how over the course of history the method of communication has changed. Initially we used letters and messengers, but now we just type a letter send it electronically and that’s it. It’s amazing how far we have come. I hope you have gained a better understanding of all the different telecommunication devices that have come and gone as well as all the legality associated with each device.

References 1. Dictionary of American History
Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. Vol. 8. 3rd ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. p65-67. COPYRIGHT 2003 Charles Scribner's Sons, COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale, COPYRIGHT 2007 Gale, Cengage Learning 2. Journal of the American Society for Information Science
Keith E. Bernard 3. The Federal Communications Commission: Front Line in the Culture and ... By Kimberly Zarkin, Michael J. Zarkin