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The focus of this thesis is an investigation of the post-privatisation performance of the international telecoms sector. Firstly, the general hypothesis (1) of this thesis has been pursued, which states that the privatised telecoms companies perform differently from their non-privatised (private) counterparts. Several tests were applied; namely, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. The principal finding was that there was no significant difference in performance. Secondly, the next hypothesis (2) states that the financial performance of each company is positively related to that of the other two selected companies. For this purpose, multiple regression tests were performed to investigate any inter-relationships between BT, AT&T and NTT. It was found that the performance of each was affected by the other companies. Thirdly, the next hypothesis (3) states that, in a global market, company performance is related more closely to the sector than to each respective stock market. It was found that performance was affected more significantly by their respective stock markets than by competitor global players. Fourthly, the next hypothesis (4) states that, in terms of competitive advantage, NTT exhibits through time a superior position compared with BT and AT&T on account of its monopoly position. It was found that monopoly was not an issue. Fifthly, the next hypothesis (5) states that, of the three global players, AT&T is more adversely affected in its competitive advantage on account of its having a weaker monopoly position. It was found that AT&T had a competitive advantage from 1990 to 1993. BT took the lead until 2000, then NTT forged ahead after the Japanese market started to become more liberalised in terms of competition. Original tests were performed regarding the changing degree of competitive advantage of these three companies. This required an evaluation of the relationship between competitive advantage and priceearnings inverses, capital asset pricing model derived rates of return and dividend-based rates of return. A random walk with drift model was also applied, in order to evaluate forecasted trends. Finally, BT's short-term debt-financing problems were examined. To overcome these difficulties, BT raised funds via a rights issue, selling off Yell and other profitable assets and de-merged their mobile company. It was found that the strategic risk probability of a failed rights issue was quite small.

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Recent years have brought great change in the telecommunication environment: Separate voice, video and data networks are being replaced by "broadband integrated service digital network" (B-ISDN) networks capable of supporting heterogeneous traffic. One possible protocol for implementation of B-ISDN is the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Quality of Service (QoS) has become an important factor in the deployment of this next-generation of data networks. The continuing increase in the volume of data to be carried has boosted the need for efficient QoS administration. Although the Connection Admission Control (CAC) algorithm is not specified by the International Telecommunications Union Telecommunications (ITU-T), it is still widely used to moderate bandwidth allocation, and User Parameter Control (UPC) algorithms can ensure that contractual stipulations are met. However, if an accurate QoS monitoring technique is implemented, both the CAC and UPC mechanisms will have a firmer foundation upon which to base their decisions. QoS monitoring will allow a network operator to take an action if deterioration in the network is detected. This research focuses on the use of data interpretation to monitor the QoS of source bursty traffic based upon delay. The author has studied the monitoring process in a simulated environment of sufficient detail to produce statistically significant results. This research employs the implementation of a purpose-built simulation of an ATM network, in which the QoS experienced by different monitored sources is monitored in the presence of heterogeneous cross-traffic. The results from this simulation provide a deeper understanding of traffic interaction in broadband networks. Techniques have been deivised, tested and validated for the monitoring of both Constant Bit rate (CBR) and Variable Bit rate (VBR) traffic. The results will ultimately assist in the design of new network management strategies for ATM. Other network protocols or testing equipment will benefit from the findings of the research.

This thesis is concerned with the transition of radio as a medium and its significance for listeners in Finland. It is based on an analysis of radio listening data collected in 1993 and 1999. The main focus is on everyday uses and meanings of radio listening. The major conclusions are as follows: 1 The transition of modern radio at a technical, institutional and programming 2 3 4 level has been reflected in the geographical, textual and technological . mobility of radio. The meaning of geographical mobility to the listener is in changing listening situations during a day, which makes listening a plural concept. Individual differences in listening are seen in three listening profiles, i.e. the enthusiast, the selective and the indifferent listeners. The meaning of textual mobility to the listener lies in the contextuality of listening: texts have different meanings in different listening situations. The meaning of technological mobility to the listener lies in the individuality of different media. Within radio high channel loyalty makes for low technological mobility. However, listeners show much mobility between different media in their daily routines. Radio is distinctive compared to other media in that it has been replaced by television. Recordings have fragmented listening in households and the print media are competing for listeners' time. Overall, the mobility of radio in everyday life is a highly complex concept, meaning different things to different listeners. Although radio is regarded as an invisible and secondary media, it occupies a special socio-technical space in listeners'· everyday life. Changes in media scenery and the integration of digital radio technology with other media means that listening is set to become even more mobile in the future

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