act on any existing to return to conventional television, just as they moved from mono- investment and when it should be phased out. Generally older chrome television to colour. technologies are phased out much faster in developed countries Remote banking and shopping, available around the clock, is a compared to developing countries. For example telegraphy and convenience which the user is likely to want, at the right price. telex have been largely replaced by the telephone in the US, and is Multimedia promises to be a service in widespread use at the approaching that stage in Europe, whilst it is still an important workplace for communication between individuals. Autotranslation means of communications in many developing countries (Andrews, also has many applications, when it becomes available. The obvious 1989). application is the real-time translation between different languages, Also shown in Figure 11.1 are pressure groups. These may be user a must as the European Community develops. However another use groups, or manufacturers' associations, of which there are many is in the translation between sound and video, such as would be world wide. The service providers often join some of these associ- required if a blind person were communicating with a deaf one. ations, especially where they are working towards introducing a Developments in telecommunication and component technology new technology or standard. Furthermore the operators often have have the greatest impact on the equipment suppliers. There are their own groups, the best known being CEPT (and now ETNO) for many of these competing and dependent on technology and efficient European PTTs. work practices to provide them with a competitive edge. The equip- ment suppliers sell to the service providers as well as direct to the customer, primarily such things as customer premise equipment. The key players The service providers are affected by many factors. Political considerations have resulted in the privatisation of most of the Because of the strategic im