International competitiveness in East Asia. Broadband telecommunications and interactive multimedia

Developed East Asian economies (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong) have recognized that broadband telecommunications and interactive multimedia technologies, are central to their overall international competitiveness. Adoption of these technologies provides a case study of growing international competition and cooperation between East Asian and Western industrialized countries in high-technology industries. While there is extensive rivalry between firms and between countries, cooperative agreements between firms in these technologies are also important. Other East Asian countries are also expanding their investment in these technologies, although expansion of the basic telephone network is a much higher policy priority.