Social and spatial ubiquity of information and communication technology: a policy perspective

In this paper, we analyze some fundamental impacts of the process of informatization. Inparticular, we address socio-economic and spatial impacts and discuss possible consequences for policy. Our objective is to discuss issues concerningthe desirability, necessity and possibility of government responses to the process of informatization. After a general introduction, we turn to a moredetailed discussion of three highly relevant areas for policy: market structures, urban networks and media use. Finally we discuss the options forpolicy, as well as the need to regulate the informatization process