| CODE | CCE5312 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Telecoms Industry, Standards and Regulations | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Communications and Computer Engineering | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit offers a comprehensive exploration of the telecommunications landscape, the industry dynamics, the regulatory frameworks, and the international standards frameworks which underpin its evolution. Students will delve into the historical context, the current profile of the telecom sector and emerging players. Regulatory approaches and the EU policy framework specific to this sector are discussed in detail, including regulatory approaches towards facilitating investment, promoting competition and safeguarding user rights. Topics such as infrastructure access and spectrum allocation are discussed in relevant detail. The study-unit further explores the role which standardisation plays in the evolution of the sector by delving into the structure of standard setting organisations such as the ITU, ETSI and 3GPP and the process through which standards are developed and adopted. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: - provide an in-depth understanding of the telecom industry, emphasizing both regulatory and standardization aspects; - explain the historical context, competition dynamics, and emerging players within the context of transnational regulatory initiatives, the challenges in cross-border operations and the drivers for regulation; - discuss regulatory approaches that promote competition and investment such as infrastructure access and spectrum allocation; - explore standardization, the functioning of transnational bodies (such as ITU, ETSI and 3GPP), and the pivotal role which standardisation plays in the advancement of the sector. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the complexities of the telecommunications industry, encompassing its historical context, current profile, and emerging players; - Explain the importance and objectives of telecom regulation, the key principles that guide regulatory frameworks in the European Union and beyond; - Compare regulatory approaches across different regions; - Discuss the legal and regulatory barriers in cross-border telecom operations, with a specific focus on frequency spectrum management; - Describe the mechanisms and initiatives required to harmonize regulatory frameworks across EU member states; - Describe the impact of infrastructure access regulations on competition, including the principles of open access, non-discrimination and wholesale access; - Discuss compliance obligations for telecom operators, the roles of regulatory authorities, and the sanctions and penalties associated with non-compliance; - Explore regulatory challenges and opportunities in emerging technologies like 5G and IoT, explaining regulatory approaches for new services and business models; - Explain the significance of telecom standardization, voluntary regulation, and the role of international bodies such as ITU, ETSI, and others; - Discuss the European focus in telecom standardization, understanding the landscape, policies, frameworks, and harmonization efforts within the European Union. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Distinguish key components and players within the telecommunications industry, recognizing their roles and contributions; - Apply an understanding of telecom regulation principles to assess the impact on industry dynamics, competition, and stakeholder interests; - Examine appropriate regulatory approaches and initiatives in diverse global contexts, considering their effectiveness and challenges; - Design mechanisms and initiatives to facilitate cross-border telecom operations, with a focus on frequency spectrum management; - Analyse the impact of infrastructure access regulations on competition; - Appraise the integration of sustainability objectives in telecom regulation, outlining the environmental considerations; - Critique policies and initiatives for digital inclusion; - Apply compliance obligations for telecom operators, considering regulatory authorities' roles and assessing potential sanctions and penalties; - Apply knowledge of telecom standardization processes, understanding their role in driving innovation, interoperability, and market development; - Select relevant standards and initiatives within the European standardization landscape, aligning them with European policies and frameworks. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Manganelli, S. and Nicita, A. (2020). The Governance of Telecom Markets. Palgrave Macmillan. - Baldwin, R. and Cave, M. (2020). Taming the Corporation. Oxford University Press. - Baldwin, R., Cave, M., and Lodge, M. (2012). Understanding Regulation. Oxford University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldwork, Lectures and Tutorials | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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