This introductory course examines the policies, laws and regulations applicable to one of the most important industry segments of the United States – telecommunications. The course will cover wireline, wireless, cable, video, satellite, Internet and broadband technologies/services in this exciting and dynamic industry. This study will review regulatory policies such as Universal Service that shaped the early industry and proceed to the current policy debates such as Net Neutrality. Topics will include the Communications Act of 1934 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and discussions of what changes to related laws may be warranted in the future. This survey course will also cover important subjects such as divestiture, mergers, scope of regulatory treatment and the public interest, use of valuable spectrum, interconnection, key characteristics of the different modes of communication as well as the key issue of technological convergence.
The goal of the course is to introduce students to important policy and legal concepts and issues in an industry that impacts their daily lives and perhaps reveal an area of career interest whether it be in the government, industry, consumer or private practice arenas.
Textbooks ( * denotes required )
Digital Crossroads: Telecommunications Law and Policy in the Internet Age,
*
Jonathan E. Nuechterlein and Philip J. Weiser
MIT Press
,
edition: Second Edition
ISBN: 978-0-262-51960-1
Cosgrove, Joseph E. Jr. 