Course Details

Information Technology: Telecom, the Internet, and Platform Regulation

This course will cover the fundamentals of telecommunications, internet, and platform technology and regulation: the main physical platforms of IT markets and services. We will begin with the regulation of what was once known as POTS “Plain Old Telephone Service.” This regulation, which at the time was similarly applied across the economy to utility and transportation companies, is not only historically important but is relevant to modern debates such as whether the government should regulate the prices of internet services or prescription drugs. Because regulation often follows technological and economic features, we will discuss the technological architecture of relevant networks. From a brief excursion into POTS, we will quickly transition to what has been called PANS (“Pretty Amazing New Stuff” (I’m not making this up)). How does the technology of internet and other data networks fundamentally differ from telecom networks, and what does that mean for regulation? As to internet infrastructure particularly, we will talk about network neutrality, universal service where services are competitive, and regulatory boundaries when technologies converge. Of course, much communication now occurs through and mediated by internet platforms, and so we will consider some of the regulatory issues they create. Some states have adopted laws regulating social media platforms, and government has increased its antitrust scrutiny of several of the large platforms. We will look at the 1996 federal law insulating platforms from much liability and whether that should change. All of this regulation has important free speech implications, on which we will also touch. We will also consider Europe’s now very different approach to platform regulation, which provides a model in stark contrast to the largely “hands off” U.S. approach. Throughout, although the focus will be on telecommunications and internet services, we will draw analogies to other technology markets, such as software and Internet search that have confronted similar challenges.

Catalog Number: REGLAW 935-0

Additional Course Information: MSL students only

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Course History

Spring 2026
Title: Information Technology: Telecom, the Internet, and Platform Regulation
Faculty: Speta, James B. (courses | profile)
Section: 1     Credits: 0.5
Capacity: 18     Actual: 7