Macro Environment and Telecommunications

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This course will acquaint learners with basic knowledge of telecommunications, its regulations and implications on the political, social and economic environments. Issues explored will be primarily be located within the African context.

Chapter 1

• Course Syllabus [1]


• Essays/ Assignment [2]


• Course Instructions [3]

• Module 1: Introduction, scope and learning outcomes [4]


• Information and Information Revolution [5]


• Critique of the Information Revolution [6]


• The Impacts of the Information Revolution [7]


• Information Society [8]


• Meaning and Scope of ICTs [9]


• The Potential Uses of ICTs [10]


• LEARNING ACTVITY 1 [11]


• The Telecommunication Revolution [12]


• Factors Responsible for the Growth of the Telecommunications Sector [13]


• Telecommunications Systems [14]


• Wire and Cable Technology [15]


• Wireless Technologies [16]


• Telecommunications in Africa [17]


• The Internet [18]


• The Fundamental Concept of the World Wide Web [19]


• Internet Use in Africa [20]


• LEARNING ACTVITY 2 [21]


• Conclusion and Summary [22]


• References [23]

• Introduction to Module 2: Global Trends [24]


• Trends in the ICT/Telecom Sector [25]


• Trends that Drive the Telecom Revolution [26]


• Economic and Market Trends that Drive the Telecom Revolution [27]


• Political-Economic Trends [28]


• LEARNING ACTIVITY 3 [29]


• Convergence [30]

• Introduction: The Role of Regulation in Competition [31]


• The Basic Concepts in Telecomm Competition [32]


• The Basic Principle of Competition Policy [33]


• Regulatory Intervention in the ICT Sector [34]


• LEARNING ACTIVITY 4 [35]


• References [36]

• International Organizations [37]


• The Role of International Organizations in Telecommunications [38]


• Three Roles [39]


• The International Telecommunications Union [40]


• The World Trade Organization [41]


• The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [42]


• LEARNING ACTIVITY 5 [43]


• The World Bank [44]


• The World Bank Revamping its Image [45]


• The International Monetary Fund [46]


• Some African Telecommunications Organizations [47]


• Telecommunications Regulators'Association of Sourthern Africa (TRASA) [48]


• West African Telecommunications Regulators Association (WATRA) [49]


• African Telecommunications Union (ATU) [50]


• Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation (RASCOM) [51]


• COMESA and ICT projects [52]


• Conclusions [53]


• LEARNING ACTVITY 6 [54]


• Case Study [55]


• Abbreviations [56]


• References [57]


• Recommended Study Material [58]

• Introduction to Module 4 [59]


• The Role of ICTs and Telecommunications in Development [60]


• The Meaning of Development, Sustainable Development and Rural Development [61]


• Telecommunications, Gender and Development [62]


• Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Development [63]


• Social Constraints to the Ownership and Use of ICT [64]


• Telecommunications, Developed Countries and Development of LDCs [65]


• Role of ICTs in Economic Development [66]


• LEARNING ACTIVITY 7 [67]


• Direct Effects of Telecommunications on Economic Development [68]


• Indirect Effects of Telecommunications on Economic Development [69]


• Empirical Observations on the Role of Telecomunications on Socio-Economic Development [70]


• Theoretical Approaches to the Role of Telecommunications in Development [71]


• Theoretical Perspective to the Internet and Community Development [72]


• ICTs and Development Support Communication [73]


• Summary and Conclusions [74]


• LEARNING ACTIVITY 8 [75]


• References [76]


• Other Recommended Study Material [77]

• Outcomes
• Readings
• Glossary