Module Outline

Introduction to Module 3 – Interconnection

Changes in how the countries are governed and the liberalizing of economies around the world has ushered in opening up of the telecommunication market. How different companies interconnect has always come up as one contentious issue. This module takes an in-depth look at issues that surround interconnection. It highlights the role interconnection plays in a competitive environment and the regulatory issues that affect it.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

• Discuss the principles of interconnection
  
• Apply the basic technical and related economic principles of interconnection as they pertain to regulatory issues
  
• Define the role of the regulator in the interconnection process
  
• Explain the relationship between interconnection and competition
  
• Assess the legal, regulatory, technical, and financial factors affecting interconnection in your country
  
• Craft an interconnection agreement detailing factors such as legal (policy and agreements), regulatory (quality of service), technical (inter-operability), and financial (pricing, unbundling of costs).

On- Line Resource Database and Locators

H. Intven, J. Oliver and E. Sepu'lveda, Telecommunications Regulation Handbook, Module 3 - Interconnection (2000) http://www.infodev.org/projects/314regulationhandbook/

H. Intven, J. Oliver and E. Sepu'lveda, Telecommunications Regulation Handbook, Module 1 - Overview of Telecommunication Regulation (2000) http://www.infodev.org/projects/314regulationhandbook/

http://www.btplc.com/Corporateinformation/Regulatory/RegulatoryInformation/OftelConsultativeDocuments/Interconnection2/response.pdf

http://www.etic.be/convair/Documents/Presentations/99-ni-chain-eg-rp-af.pdf