Internet Infrastructure and Regulation

March 29

In this class, we will cover the politics, policy, economics and technology of deploying broadband infrastructure. We will look at the year-old US National Broadband Plan and the Berkman Center review of international experiences in broadband policy. Additionally, we will look at the substance and politics of the net neutrality debate.

Readings

• Executive Summary of the National Broadband Plan [1]

• National Broadband Plan Commission Meeting: National Purposes Update, February 18th 2010 [2]

• Next Generation Connectivity: A review of broadband Internet transitions and policy from around the world, Berkman Center [3]

• Net Neutrality 101 [4]

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlhSbJYxOnc

Optional Readings

• The Federal Communications Commission
• National Broadband Plan
• OpenInternet.gov
• The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
• The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
• The Telecommunications Act of 1996
• FCC - Wireless Spectrum Auctions
• Powell's Four Freedoms