While design and operation of the NII is primarily in the hands of the private sector, government policy plays a significant role in its development by reforming telecommunications policy, promoting NII applications, resolving information policy issues such as privacy, security, and intellectual property, and investing in long-term R&D (Kalil, 1995). Maule (1994) indicates that the foundation for current information infrastructure projects in both the public and private sector are initiatives and legislation by the Clinton/Gore Administration and Congress, in particular, the National Research and Education Network (NREN) and the National Information Infrastructure Act (NII). Kahin (1992a) describes the mission of the National Research and Education Network and its multiple policy objectives The breakdown in classic forms in the computer environment due to the computer revolution is discussed as is the concept of flat rate pricing as an important feature of the Internet.

Branscomb and Kahin (1995b) discuss the criticality of standards development in the development of the NII. Three models associated with software applications, the Internet, and facilities-based communication are presented and further point out that interoperability and open systems affect the development of government policies. King (1995) discusses the dilemma of national policy development for information technology in the context of the U.S. national information infrastructure and reviews the technological forces affecting the convergence of computing and communications. He also describes current and future services well as service providers and markets associated with the NII as well as the implications for national competitiveness.