Networks and Communication Studies
NETCOM, vol. 14, n° 3-4, 2000
p. 407-414
Telecommunications and Space :
Questions and Concepts
Barbara Lenz1
Abstract : The great variety of concepts and research contexts indicates on the one hand that research
on the issue of I&C technologies and new media is a very active field. On the other hand, it is also
evidence that further studies are necessary, especially on the following subjects : microstudies on the
intertwine of physical place (and local actors) and NICT/telecommunication ; studies on the
relationship of the private and the business sector in shaping the virtual world ; studies on the spatial
conditions for, and spatial effects of, commercial/business usage of electronic networks ; studies on the
relationship of virtual networks and physical [transport] networks ; studies on the virtual networks and
central functions of cities/places ; studies on the mobility effects by virtual networks (or more simply :
virtual patterns) ; and methodological discussion.
Key Words : Telecommunication Geography ; Space ;
The continuing research into the influence of telecommunications on spatial
structures and functions in the field of geography and the social sciences is
accompanied by an increasingly diversified range of concepts which, although
they occasionally may look like pieces of a still incomplete puzzle, can also serve
to indicate perspectives which could lead to feasible approaches if they are
analyzed systematically. There is no doubt that the exchange of scientific findings
and scientific discussions will make essential contributions to substantiating,
refining and further developing the current concepts.
The International Geographical Union Commission on “Communication and
Telecommunication Networks” offers an important forum in this context. This
paper summarizes the presentations made during the meeting in Milan (May 1999)
by attempting to highlight the concepts on which the presentations were based
and giving individual examples to illustrate how these concepts could be applied
in practice.
1. University of Stuttgart
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1. THE QUESTIONS
The increase in scientific studies conducted in the framework of a geography of telecommunications and the new media is primarily the result of an
expansion of the research subject. The major initial [and still important] objective of
the research efforts was to describe and explain the physical and spatial effects of
the telecommunication means – and in this context, above all, those of the
electronic networks – on the economy and society. The main focus was the
diffusion of the new technologies and the different spatial factors influencing this
diffusion. Simultaneously, approaches were developed mainly at the theoretical
level which address primarily the causes and long-term effects of the diffusion of
the new media (e.g. Castells 1996, 1998a, 1998b ; Dicken 1992 ; Graef 1992,
Graham 1996 ; Virilio 1993 ; Toffler 1990a, 1990b).
In the meantime, the aims of the empirically-oriented research have
expanded. Moreover, empirical research more frequently addresses questions
relating to theoretical ideas. These more recent questions include, for example, the
following :
* Who are the most powerful actors who succeed in getting the
employment of the new communication technologies accepted ?
* Which regulatory mechanisms are used by these actors, and what are the
effects of such mechanisms on the use of the new telecommunications
technologies ?
* What is virtual space ? And what is its relation to physical space ?
The formulation of these questions highlights two circumstances – on the
one hand there is the growing recognition of the fact that the new
telecommunication technologies are spreading not simply because there is a
demand for them but also because strong economic and political interests are
involved in their distribution. On the other hand, the postulation of a “virtual
space” indicates the expectation that independent, complex structures are evolving
as a result of the new communication technologies.
2. CONCEPTS
The approaches serving as a basis for the presentations given during the
meeting in Milan can be summed up in the following four different concepts :
* the concept of physical and virtual space as competing, parallel or related
spaces ;
* the concept of systems of actors ;
* the network concept ; and
* the concept of power.
The fundamental assumption of the concept of physical and virtual space
(figure 1) states that virtual space has a dimension of its own which is generally
independent of physical space so that virtual space has its own structures,
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SPACE
409
functions and developments. On the other hand, electronic networks do not have
a life of themselves. They fulfill their functions only in connection with the physical
world. Consequently, the concept of physical and virtual space assumes that
independent developments take place in each of the two spaces and attempts to
describe to what extent thse developments compete with each other, run
separately but in parallel with each other, or are directly related to each other. In its
explanations, the concept draws primarily on the approach that space and
Figure 1.— The concept of physical and virtual space (source : personal conceptualization)
locations are created through communication in the sense of social interaction
which is valid both for physical and virtual space2.
Fistola/La Rocca (“The virtualization of urban functions”) use this concept in
their empirical study where they combine it with the thesis that there is a shift of
functions from physical to virtual space. It is assumed in the study that a city represents a system consisting of its functions, its physical locations and the
perception of its citizens. By means of the new technologies, the existing system is
complemented by a communicational system. The shift of functions from the
physical system to the communicational system affects in particular the traffic flow
in the city. Thus, Fistola/La Rocca create a basic model for the substitution of
physical traffic by virtual traffic (or by communication). However, their model is
rather rough sketch and requires further differentiation, for example with regard to
the hypothesis that an increase in telecommunications would inevitably lead to a
reduction in the traffic volume. But the substitution of physical locations and
processes by virtual ones actually represents a complex process which varies
significantly in quantitative terms, i.e. with regard to the extent of the substitution
(cf., for example, Lenz 2000).
The study by Kellerman (“International telephony in the Mediterranean
basin”) does not focus on telecommunications as a means to substitute spatial
2. The issue of the conceptualization of virtual space as “space” is discussed in detail in Hülsmann 1999, chapter 4.
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relations but on its complementary functions. Kellerman starts with the thesis that
“telecommunicational space” is formed by the social relations in physical space.
Taking the flow of telephone communications in the Mediterranean region as an
example, Kellerman shows that spatial communication patterns are not influenced
so much by neighbor-related effects but are rather an expression of economic
conditions and the resulting social relations. At the same time, they also reflect the
“inter – national” power structures which have evolved over time.
Feng Li (“New progress in geography and the implications for organizations”) further specifies the concept of real and virtual space by assuming that
the two spaces represent two different - rather than parallel - levels on which the
actor is performing. The actor alternately uses the physical or the “electronic
space,” but there are no direct relations between these spaces. Such relations are
established only through the actor as part of an informational system. Feng Li puts
forward the supplementary thesis that informational systems do not dissolve spatial
relations ; instead, they define them anew. As a consequence, the environment of
all organizational forms changes significantly. In such a situation, physical space
does not only maintain its importance – the importance even increases since the
basic spatial conditions make an essential contribution to carrying out the
necessary adaptations in the organizations. For example, the restructuring of
manufacturing and business processes in an enterprise need not necessarily
change the “real geography” of that enterprise. However, the locational conditions
will impede or hamper the adaptation process (cf. Bakis/Bonet/Veyret’ study on
the recent call centers development of the “Montpellier Méditerranée
Technopolis”).
The network concept (figure 2) is a variant of the concept of physical and
virtual space. This concept starts from the assumption that the activities which are
carried out in the networks of physical space have a structuring effect on networks
Figure 2.— The network concept (source : personal conceptualization)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SPACE
411
which are formed in virtual space. As a consequence, the existing physical networks
are strengthened by a superimposition with virtual networks. Thus, virtual space
does not “compete” with physical space but is closely related to physical space also
in structural terms because of the parallel and complementary functions.
The interaction between physical and virtual structures is examined by
Forström (“Urban structures and networks”) based on a study of quantitative
changes in traffic nodes which differentiates between passenger traffic and freight
traffic. Forström concludes that the nodal structure of the traffic system is
strengthened by the employment of the new I&C technologies. He identifies
accessibility, form, size and location (distance) as essential factors for the
development of infrastructural networks. The development process starts with the
introduction of I&C-supported activities which change existing structures and, over
time, result in spatial changes. In specific terms, the starting point of the
development can be an ICT-driven business change which leads to weightless
production, thereby facilitating business agglomerations (cf. the shaping of
physical space by social networks as analyzed by Mbadinga).
In his network analysis of the spatial and social ramifications of the new
media Koch (“The linked human being in a linked space”) presents the hypothesis
that spaces and individuals are connected in a novel manner through the new I&C
technologies. He identifies an increasing dissolution in the way one can attribute
individual action to time and space : The contrast between “real individual – real
space” and “virtual individual – virtual space” has begun to merge. This dissolution,
however, does not make things getting amorphous but leads to an overlying of
different “realities” into complex situations. Koch starts an intensive discussion
about the question whether, and to what extent, it is possible to describe especially
virtual spaces in their capacity as social constructs objectively from the outside.
State
S
o
c
i
e
t
y
Incentive
Constrain
P r i va t e
Ho u s e h o l d s
In d i v i d u a l s
E
c
o
n
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Figure 3.—The concept of
systems of actors (source :
personal conceptualization
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NETCOM, vol. 14, n° 3-4, 2000
The concept of systems of actors (figure 3) assumes that the diffusion and use
of the new information and communication technologies is the result of a process of
interaction and negotiation between actors. This process is determined by motives
and objectives on the one hand, and constraints and restrictions on actions on the
other. Relevant actors are society, the state and the economy as well as the individual
private household and the individual human being. The spatial differences in the
development can be explained by the different extent to which the various actors are
able to exert influence, as well as by the basic economic and social conditions
governing the process of interaction and negotiation between the actors.
Gillon/Caro/N’Daye (“Internet en France : localisation des sites *.fr et
initiatives en faveur de l’aménagmenet du territoire”) present the state and the
municipal authorities as especially important actors, in particular in France. This
becomes evident in the telecommunications sector, where in 1998, 46 per cent of
the providers were located in Paris and another 22 per cent in large cities such as
Lille, Lyon, Marseille or Bordeaux. Based on the observation that the economic and
legal framework significantly influences the diffusion of I&C technologies,
Gillon/Caro/N’Daye arrive at the conclusion that mainly the different basic
conditions at different locations are responsible for the different developments at
the various locations.
Ben Hassine (“Les télécommunications en Tunisie”) comes to similar
conclusions in his study on Tunisia. In this case, too, diverging development lines
can be attributed to the role of the state as the major actor in the process of
distributing new technologies. Differences in the I&C development at different
locations are directly related to preferences given to individual regions in the
country by government authorities.
The concept of power (figure 4) is closely related to the concept of systems
of actors. However, this concept focuses on the question as to which regulatory
mechanisms are employed by the powerful actors with regard to the use of the
new technologies, and how these mechanisms affect the use as such.
Consequently, this approach does not take the individual household or the
individual human being into account as an active and powerful player ; this type of
actor rather appears as someone who is affected by the power being exerted.
Society
Economy
Interests
State
Figure 4.— The concept of power
(source : personal
conceptualization)
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Guy (“Development : Infrastructure, buildings and the social construction of
demand”) uses an economy-oriented perspective when he begins by stating that
the power structures are determined mainly by the position of the actor in the
market. His study focuses primarily on the actors on the demand side. Here, he
considers the question how demand is created and which processes must be taken
into account in the creation of demand. These processes include diverse design
and development practices, changing patterns of consumption, and new logics of
infrastructure management. A closer look at the demand-creating process from this
angle reveals a complex network of competing interests and alliances. Guy
concludes that our understanding of “demand” as a form of technical or social load
must be replaced with a relational analysis of infrastructure providers,
development actors and users as parallel agents in the production of built space.
The normative role of authorities as regulatory actors is demonstrated by
Ferland (“Cadre théorique structural et impact géomatique du cadastre”) who uses
the cadaster agency in Quebec/Canada as an example. Cadaster data represent
different layers of information because here, different types of information are
linked to each other. For example, information about the rights related to a piece
of land is linked to information on the characteristics of this piece of land. Due to
the way in which cadaster data are organized, they reflect much more than the
actual land development. These data also include specific symbols used to
describe the land which create a certain perception of this land. The symbols are
subject to standards which change over time, thus leading in turn to a changed
perception. In the example used by Ferland, this perception changes through the
use of new technologies in the cadaster since the employment of technology
requires new forms of symbols to describe the land.
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