Course Description

This course, taught by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Bureau-level policy managers, offers executive level telecommunications policy personnel a broad overview of telecommunications policy making considerations in a dynamic and competitive environment. With the rapidly changing regulatory environment predominant in so many countries, regulatory bodies are confronted with new challenges as they attempt to assimilate modern telecommunications technology.

The course opens by outlining the U.S. regulatory structure including the legislative authority, the FCC organizational structure and an outline of the regulatory philosophy affecting the major services. The changing regulatory structure which reflects current technologic developments, and influences the need for competition and privatization, as mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, is presented. Discussion of the FCC decision-making process, a site visit to a major communication corporation, and a roundtable discussion concerning the changing global telecommunication environment, with class members, government, and industry representatives as participants, will be included to enhance the learning process.

The objectives of the course are: (1) to understand the changing regulatory philosophy of the United States as we participate in the dynamic worldwide telecommunications environment, including development of the necessary considerations that need to be given in responding to those changes; (2) to develop, with high-level regulatory managers from developing nations, methods of grappling with privatization and other related deregulatory issues in managing their organizations in an effective, efficient market-driven manner.

Strategic planning and management (limited to those responsible for communications policy determination)

July 20-21, 2000

July 24-28, 2000

Washington, DC

K2-206, K2-212