This is an unformatted version of the overhea's used at MIT's Imnformation Marketplace Symposium on October 12. This was broadcast to 50 corporate sites in addition to the 500 in attendance in Cambridge. Attendees received a copy of the Open Road paper in their conference materials. Building The Open Road: An Entrepreneur's View of Policies for the National Public Network Mitchell Kapor Inspiration from the Personal Computer Industry >From $0 to $100 billion in a decade Triumph of Entrepreneurialism Self-organizing phenomenon Computing and communications technology converging Cultural gulf still wide Infrastructure as Platform Must be open in all dimensions - open architecture of Apple II, IBM PC, Unix vs. proprietary systems Must contain critical mass of features and capabilities - Must promote good "user experience" - empowering the non-technical user Must be designed, not just engineered PC Industry Dynamics Represent a New Ecology of Innovation Winning applications not knowable in advance "Wasteful" competition is ok Rapid evolution by emulation of successful products Low barriers to entry in applications Platform providers obtain leverage through evangelism Post-MFJ Telephone Network Telcos can not be excluded from information services market, but cultural assimilation lags Beltway Gridlock, armies of lobbyists, glossy brochures and videos Safeguards alone necessary but not sufficient Need for consensus on evolution of telephone system into a National Public Network Thoughts from an Entrepreneur's Daybook Nature Never Starts from Scratch Nature Doesn't Have a Long-Range Plan The Commercial Internet is the Only New Infrastructure Game in Town The Internet in a transitional era >From research and education mission to unrestricted uses Emergence of commercial IP carriers, public access Unix sites Why the Internet? An existing, open platform with large user population Well-developed basic protocols and services "Thick" connectivity Terrific testbed for commercial experiments Policies for the Internet / NREN "Architecture is Politics" Encourage Competition Among Carriers Create a Level Playing Field With No Favored Players Equal Access to the Research and Education Network Interconnection Arrangements are the key Developing the Commercial Internet The Commercial Internet Exchange (CIX) Declaring the Commercial Internet Open for Business Stimulating its economic development User census Directory of services Public Policies for the National Public Network Expand the definition of universal service Civil Liberties in Cyberspace Extend Common Carrier Responsibilities and Protections Privacy Protection Universal Service >From analog to digital Connections to every home, school, business Affordable, not free, service Meaningless without: standards for information presentation easier to use interfaces Civil Liberties in Cyberspace Recognize computer networks as communications media which implicate speech interests Extend first amendment protections to new forms of digital media New constitutional amendment not required, just appropriate interpretation of Bill of Rights Computer as 21st century printing press Free Speech and Common Carriage Common carriage as guarantor of free speech Ominous trends in 900# telephone service Carriers and forwarders should keep hands off content and be free from liability However, extensive government regulation would be burdensome Vexing issues remain regarding liabilities of online publishers, bulletin boards Privacy The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) Legal protections necessary but not sufficient Must balance legal protection with technological support Crucial role for encryption Anti-encryption bias in current policy climate (S. 266) The Electronic Frontier Foundation Non-profit organization concerned with social impact of computer-based communications A conduit for pioneers "on the net" to have an impact on the policy process Active initiatives: Internet/NREN encryption and privacy public switched telephone network futures first and fourth amendment issues rights and responsibilities of nodes and carriers