Wireless Communications Industry: After AT&T-Mc-Caw

This case and the “Telecommunications Industry Note 1993” case, together, provide a broad picture, the evolving telecommunications industry. They can be used to discuss the impact of major changes in regulatory context and major technological changes on the basis of competition in the industry, on the strategic position of incumbents, and on the boundaries of industries. Wireless technology, in particular, has spawned new players and raises major strategic challenges to traditional telephone companies. This transformation is likely to continue during the mid-to-late 1990s. The case describes how AT&T is trying to cope with the transformation.