Foreword

• Pages: xiii-xiii

xiii

FOREWORD

The Section of Antitrust Law of the American Bar Association

presents the Telecommunications and Antitrust Handbook. Since

enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the

telecommunications industry has evolved rapidly. Applying antitrust

principles to an industry in flux has posed new challenges and produced

a new body of governing precedents. This Guide is intended to serve as

a comprehensive review of the applicable law and an invaluable resource

for both telecom and antitrust practitioners who contend with the myriad

competitive issues that arise in this fluid industry and fluid area of the

law.

This Handbook represents years of effort and dedication from those

who have guided and observed the evolution of the industry and antitrust

law. No other book provides as comprehensive and as current an

analysis, and it is our hope that the Handbook will be a lasting resource

for those who practice in this critical industry. I am both pleased and

proud that the book has been published during my tenure as Chair of the

Antitrust Section.

The Section is deeply grateful to the many attorneys and economists

who generously contributed sweat equity and innumerable hours to this

monumental undertaking. The project’s co-chairs, Barry Nigro and

Marty Stern, as well as Al Pfeiffer, current chair of the Communications

Industry Committee, deserve special mention for their tireless efforts and

determination to make this project a success. I also want to thank

Council members Rich Parker and Howard Morse for pre-publication

review and their valuable insights.

Richard J. Wallis

Chair, Section of Antitrust Law

American Bar Association

March 2005