Telecommunications

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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, but compacted and rearranged somewhat.

  1. Introduction to Telecommunications Industries
  2. Value Chain in Telecommunications
    • With a focus on the flow of knowledge goods
    • Including a catalog of various major actors:
      • For-Profit Companies
      • Non-Profit Companies
      • Universities
      • Associations
  3. Economics of Intellectual Property in Telecommunications
    • Including a comparison of IP-based and non-IP-based sources of competitive advantage

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

Links in Telecommunications

Blogs and News from Telecommunications

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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