The introduction of the study course covers the overview of electronic communications network and service technologies and challenges they offer in conditions of network, service, and terminal equipment convergence leading towards the development of next-generation networks and services. The markets of electronic communications services are reviewed, the main participants of the electronic communications market are identified, the regulatory environment and regulations of the industry are described, the conditions, requirements, rights, and obligations of merchants to enter the electronic communications market are considered. Separately regulatory measures for interconnection tariff and international roaming tariff regulation are outlined. The study course also outlined to the universal service in the electronic communications sector. The study course finishes with an overview of the challenges and consequences of the regulation of next-generation networks and services.
Course contents:
- Introduction. Goals, content and scope of the discipline. Specification of lectures, test work and exam.
- Electronic communications networks, dominating network technologies, next generation networks.
- Development of technologies for provision of telecommunication services. Electronic communication services.
- Participants of electronic communication market, their interests and relations. Market segmentation.
- Regulation of electronic communications. Regulation models. European regulatory frameworks.
- Licensing in telecommunications. Types of licences. Rights and obligations of undertakings.
- Scarce resources. Global and national numbering plans. Administration of numbers.
- Planning and supervision of radio frequencies. Effective use of spectrum, spectrum monitoring.
- Role of competition. Ex ante and ex post regulation. Service and infrastructure competition. Ladder of investment.
- Asymmetrical regulation. Wholesale and retail services. Definition and analysis of relevant markets.
- Significant market power (SMP) of undertakings. Specific obligations applied to undertakings with SMP.
- Interconnection of telecommunications networks. Access services, their classification and regulation. Access obligations
- Universal service in telecommunications. Application of universal service obligations.
- Principles of tariff setting for electronic communication services. Regulation of service tariffs. Cost allocation.
- Principles and order of inter-operator payments. Actual remuneration models between operators.
- Regulation of next generation networks and services. Regulatory risks and challenges. Summary.
