Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Role of government in telecom II: Research
If there is a constructive role for government in telecom, it is to fund long-term research -- to the benefit of everybody. Johna Till Johnson has an article in the recent Network World entitled "No substitute for government funded research" that says
Johna Till Johnson continues
Many of the traditional sources of funding for network research, such as the NSF and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), are funneling their dollars elsewhere. (I noted in a previous column the critical role both agencies played in funding and operating the early Internet.) According to sources familiar with the NSF, network research is no longer a top priority. DARPA has elected to focus on near-term battle technologies rather than long-range strategic innovation.Bell Labs, of course, is no longer the government-sanctioned, ratepayer-supported multi-Nobel prize-winning research powerhouse it once was either. Microsoft Research, according to well-placed observer Paul Saffo, is a roach motel -- stuff goes in, but nothing comes out.
Johna Till Johnson continues
Can't industry take up the slack? . . .[competitive] companies need to constantly cut out "waste" - expenditures that don't contribute directly to the bottom line. Much great research fits that definition, including the Internet . . . [Research has] a lag between funding and commercialization of 17 to 19 years . . . [but an ROI of 12% to 41%, therefore] publicly funded research is inextricably linked to industrial product innovation.I don't even care if the incumbent telcos want to accept government research money as long as (a) it is used for legit research and (b) the results of publicly funded research are public.
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