Tune in for 'As The Industry Turns'

Stop me if you've heard this one before: The telecommunications industry is in a state of flux.I'm not talking about the troubles unleashed by rampaging competition or stock scandals or the dot-com crash. I'm referring to the uncertainty about how government organizations are planning to buy services over a changing network infrastructure. Are federal agencies ready for voice over IP? Will public safety organizations find the radio spectrum to support their growing communications needs? Will local governments cut out the carriers by building their own government-owned networks? Do agencies favor systems integrators over traditional carriers on large network and communications contracts?Washington Technology Staff Writers Roseanne Gerin and Brad Grimes talked with industry executives and analysts about the changing government landscape. Their front-page story highlights 10 significant trends that will affect systems integrators and telecom companies over the coming years.As one Avaya executive noted, the changing market "broadens the playing field for companies like us." And for integrators as well.