Future Development

Abstract

Making the connection from this second day of the Congress to the final panel session, Mr. Irmer referred to Mr. Mayo’s presentation which provided a lucid overview on the power and richness of future technologies, leading to almost unrestricted possibilities. He raised the question whether there was not a danger that this seemingly unlimited growth would sooner or later result in overcapacities which would not be used and, therefore, uneconomic. As Mr. Mayo demonstrated, the capabilities of technology increase rapidly and at the same time rates decrease, driven by competition; however, innovation and consequently depreciating cycles are becoming shorter and shorter. The question arises whether this evolution might end in a downward spirale, leaving network capacities idle and, consequently, result in an economic turmoil?