This course focuses on the body of law and regulation governing the provision of telecommunications services and the operation of telecommunications networks in Australia. In other words, the course concentrates on the law and regulation application to the technological means, such as switched, broadband, cable, mobile and satellite networks, by which content, including voice and data, is carried or delivered within and sent to/from Australia. It is not concerned with the regulation of content which usually falls in the domain of 'media law' or 'communications law'. Topics which will be explored include: communications technology, the history and development of Australian telecommunications law and policy, regulatory and industry structures, authorisation and licensing, network construction and installation, access and interconnection, sector-specific measures dealing with anti-competitive conduct, spectrum management, universal service, consumer protection and privacy.

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the principles and tools of telecommunications law and regulation in Australia. Upon completion of the course, students will:

• understand the concepts and principles underlying relevant legislation and case law in the area of telecommunications law
• be able to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses
• be able to identify and analyse a legal issue in telecommunications law
• develop an awareness of the legal and policy developments in the sector in Australia and world wide; and
• be able to evaluate suggested changes to reform the regulation of the sector.

To achieve the learning outcomes indicated, students will be assessed by way of:

• class participation
• a case study. Students will be given a commercially realistic fact-based scenario and have to identify and analyse the regulatory issues which arise on the facts
• a research paper on a topic to be approved by the lecturer

At least 26 class hours and additional private study time.

Corequisite Fundamentals of Government and Commercial Law LAWS8015 or completion of an Australian Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or equivalent.

It is assumed that students have the ability to read, understand and enterpret statutes and have a general knowledge of the Australian legal system.

Annabel Z Dodd, The Essential Guide to Telecommunications, Pearson Education, 4th ed, 2005.

The following text should be available by the time the course is offered;
Alasdair Grant and David Howarth, Australian Telecommunications Regulation, CCH, 4th ed, forthcoming

Internet access.