Defining what's next

The end of a year typically is a time for reflection, reminiscence and countdown: what went wrong and right, the year's most significant world events, the top 100 songs, the year in pictures, etc. We never do that. Because telecom is future-oriented, Telephony's year-end report always looks forward at people, companies or trends representing that future.

This year, our "10 to Watch" feature examines the turning points that will reshape the telecom industry in the coming year. The subjects range from technology categories to carrier spending patterns to company futures, and they are the topics Telephony will cover throughout 2003 as we track this industry's progress. Read our "10 to Watch" report in the Dec. 16 print issue, or on our Web site at www.telephonyonline.com.

The end of a year also typically is a time for resolutions of personal improvement. That we will do, and for that we're hoping for an assist from our readers.

Over the past year, we've made difficult choices about our own strategy, just like many of the companies we cover. We've changed the frequency of our print magazine and retooled our editorial approach, using our Web site and e-mail newsletters to ensure the timeliness of the information we deliver. Our overall editorial objectives are to keep readers as well informed as possible about the industry we cover and to deliver comprehensive, immediate, analytical and relevant content about where telecom technology and business is headed. Now we want to know how you think we've done--and, more important, how we can further adapt to best meet your needs.

We invite your feedback on any aspect of our efforts: how we cover and deliver news, whether our technology coverage is sufficient and correctly balanced, what you would like to see more or less of in either our print or electronic publications, and whether you find our feature stories insightful and our profiles of telecom industry figures compelling. We would also like to learn more about how you use our publications in your professional lives: Do you get more information online or in print? Do you read cover-to-cover or skim for the articles most pertinent to your particular discipline? What is your definition of truly relevant telecom industry content?

Despite the ongoing malaise, we maintain that telecom is a vital and sustainable industry, and we resolve to continue bringing you the most significant and inclusive coverage of its evolution. Please e-mail me with your comments, suggestions and complaints at jmeyers@primediabusiness.com.