Telecommunications Law Seminar*

Description:

This seminar will examine significant recent developments and the interplay of current legal and policy issues in the rapidly evolving law of telecommunications regulation. Beginning with an introduction to the basic structural concepts of telecommunications regulation set forth in the Communications Act of 1934, we will explore major issues raised by the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 and subsequent developments, including the removal of market barriers for the Baby Bells, the rise of cable, wireless, and Internet Protocol (IP) platforms, the role fo the Federal Communications Commission, the interplay between state and federal regulation amid judicial and legislative constraints, the convergence of telecommunications with new technologies and media subject to differing regulatory regimes (e.g. cable, wireless, IP), the status of consumer protection in a rapidly consolidating marketplace, and the future of the Communications Act as Congress and the industry move forward with deliberations on significant structural changes. The seminar grade will be based on a paper and class participation.

Meets B Writing Requirement.

*Offered every other year