Telecommunications

Field Definition

Basic Definition

"The word 'telecommunications,' a twentieth century amalgam of Greek and Latin roots, literally means the art of conveying information 'from a distance.' . . . Today, although precise definitions differ, 'telecommunications' is broadly defined as the transmission of information by means of electromagnetic signals: over copper wires, coaxial cable, fiber-optic strands, or the airwaves." (Neuchterlein & Weiser 2007, at 1-2)

Taxonomy of Telecommunications Industries

Focus Market Segments

• Wireline
• Cable
• Commercial Wireless (Cell Phone)
• Unlicensed Wireless Data (esp. 802.11)
• Internet-Based Communications Platforms

Deprioritized Market Segments

• Satellite MVPD
• Broadcast TV
• Broadcast Radio
• Satellite Radio
• Other Wireless (public safety radios, dispatch radios, maritime communication, cordless phones, etc.)

Excluded From Field Definition

• Pure Content, including:
  • Television, or Radio Programmers (Other than Broadcast Networks, which are in a vertically integrated distribution-and-content businesses)
  • Online Content Platforms (vs. Communications Platforms) (e.g. Hulu, iTunes, Netflix). We also place user-generated content platforms like YouTube and Wikipedia in this category, although arguably they have a communications dimension.

Overview of the Field

Analysis of the field based on Field Research Methodology, with some modifications.

1. Overview of the Telecommunications Field
2. Value Chain in Telecommunications (with a focus on the flow of knowledge goods)
3. Economics of Intellectual Property in Telecommunications (including a comparison of IP-based and non-IP-based sources of competitive advantage)
4. For-Profit Companies in Telecommunications
5. Non-Profit Companies in Telecommunications
6. Universities in Telecommunications
7. Associations in Telecommunications
8. Commons Based Cases in Telecommunications

Case Studies

Possible Ways to Organize Case Studies

Network Components

• Fiber
• Legacy Last Mile/Last 100 Feet (DOCSIS/DSL/MoCa?)
• Wireless Last Mile/Last 100 Feet (3G/4G/802.11)
• Services (Operator Provided Content & Managed Services / Internet "Over-the-Top" Services)

Layers

• Physical Layer
• Network Logical Layer
  • Data Link Layers
  • IP Layer
• Service/Application/Content Layer

Candidates for Case Studies

• SONET optical standard? - Fiber ; Logical Layer
• Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) - Fiber ; Physical Layer
• Discrete Multitone (part of the the DSL Standard) - Legacy Last Mile ; Logical Layer
• Some discrete component of DOCSIS standard (perhaps security protocols?) - Legacy Last Mile ; Logical Layer
• CDMA/Qualcomm - Wireless Last Mile ; Logical Layer
• Some part of 802.11 standard - Wireless Last 100 Feet ; Logical Layer
• Internet Protocol - All Network Components ; Logical Layer
• Google Voice, New Alcatel-Lucent Voice Product - Service & Application Layer
• Some open source Internet-based telecom Project? - Service & Application Layer

Other Resources

Interviews

Possible candidates for interviews:

Bibliography

Jonathan E. Neuchterlein and Philip J. Weiser, Digital Crossroads: American Telecommunicaions Policy in the Internet Age, 2007.

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