This course provides a comprehensive introduction to basic principles of telecommunications technology and the telephone network, and the legal, economic, and regulatory environment of the telecommunications industry. Role of new technologies such as fiber, integrated digital networks, computer communications, and information services. Common carrier law and the economics of natural monopoly as the basis for regulation of the telecommunications industry. Issues of competition, monopoly and technical standards. Spectrum allocation and management. International communications and transborder data flow. Special emphasis on how the new technologies have altered and are altered by regulation. Prerequisites: 73-100 and Junior or Senior standing.
