Tölvumál - 01.03.1983, Qupperneq 3

3
In 1977 he became head of British Telecom long range studies
division and in 1980 his duties were expanded to include
strategic studies. He is responsible for studies of environment,
strategic modelling, new applications, computing, technical and
network strategies. Recent emphasis has been on cable TV in
direct support to the BT chairman and director of business
planning.
Dr. Cowie is a fellow of British Computer Society and was
chairman, BES/TEC computer studies committee (tour of duty
finished in summer 1980), and ex-member science and engineering
research council - computer science committee.
SYNOPSIS OF PRESENTATION BY MR. D. W. F. MEDCRAFT
British Telecom's approach in developing communications for
an advanced information society.
Significant changes are now being faced by telecommunications
authorities in most countries. Many have been closely linked to
their national government and have enjoyed the exclusive
privilege or monopoly of provision of service, this privilege
being an inheritance from the earliest days since telephony and
telegraphy began to expand at the beginning of this century.
Radical changes in technology in the last ten years or so have
opened up opportunities for a whole new range of customer
services in addition to voice telephony. Meanwhile the whole
technical composition of elements making up the telephone
networks is changing from electromechanically switched with
frequency division multiplexed transmission systems to fully
integrated digital switching and transmission systems with
computer control.
The resultant network infra-structure will offer users