Course Code

Course Name

ET 482
Total Units:
Telecommunications Policy and Regulation
Lecture
Tutorial
Practical
Delivery Mode:
Hrs/Wk
Hrs/Wk
Hrs/Wk
2
1
Mode
of Continuous Assessment + University Examination
Assessment:

2.0
Total Hrs/Semester
45

Prerequisites:

ET 122 Introduction to Telecommunication Systems and Networks

Objective:

To understand factors that lead to government regulations, the reason why

telecommunications industry is regulated, the challenges of policy making and
regulation, the way companies affect policy and regulation and the impact that
regulations have on companies.

Course Contents:
Unit I:
Introduction: Brief History and Evolution of the Industry; The Telecom Industry: past, present
and emerging trends; Structure of the Public Network; Current Industry Trends.
Unit II:
Spectrum Management: Features of radio spectrum, why frequency allocation, Frequency
bands for different service e.g. fixed communication, mobile communication, broadcasting, radio
navigation, etc, features of radio spectrum, why frequency allocation
Unit III:
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: The Telecommunication Act and/or policy; the legal basis
underpinning the establishment and functioning of regulators; the legal implications concerning
key regulatory functions; the principles of competition and its application in the
telecommunication sector in Tanzania.
Unit IV:
Licensing of Telecommunication Services: The rationale for licensing and differences between
telecommunication technologies, applications and services. Wireless licensing: cellular and
broadcast in Tanzania.
Unit V:
Interconnection in Telecommunication Networks: Network interconnection and connectivity
and how they affect market competition. Types of interconnection, including both one-way and
two-way access, along with special attention to Internet and mobile-fixed interconnection.
Interconnection prices and policy choices in Tanzania.
Unit: VI:
Regional And International Telecommunication Issues And Bodies: Issues in international
telecommunication; Regional regulatory bodies; survey of key international organizations, e.g.,
ITU, INTELSAT, etc.; telecommunication and economic development; international trade in
services, competition policy and regulations; standards and cross-border data flow issues
Recommended Textbooks:
1. Buckley, J., Telecommunications regulation, Institution of Electrical Engineers, 2003
2. Intven, H., Oliver, J., Sepulveda, E., Telecommunications Regulation Handbook, 1st Ed., The World
Bank (infoDev Program), 2000. ISBN: 0969717873.
Recommended References:
1. Gentzoglanis, A., Henten, A., Regulatioon & the evolution of the global Telecommunication
Industry, 1st Ed., Edward Elger Publisher ltd., (2010).ISBN: 9781848445888.
2. Fulle, R. G., Telecommunication History & Policy in the 21 st century,1st Ed., RIT Press, (2010).
ISBN: 9781933360393.
3. Brock, G. W., Telecommunication Policy for the Information Age: From Monopoly to Competition,
Harvard University Press (1994). ISBN: 0674872770.