Telecommunications policy research has grown vigorously over the past few years as evidenced by the contributors in this volume. In addition to the sheer amount of research, policy studies have grown in diversity reflecting an industry that now affects almost every area of social life. Thus, these chapters confront issues such as economic development, competition, unemployment, educational reform, the role of government, international conflict and cooperation, and many others. The volume is organized according to four issue areas: the economics of telecommunications policy, the impact of policy research on policy decisions, the social impact of accelerating growth in telecommunications, and the international consequences of telecommunications policy.