A Telecommunications Policy Primer

20 Comprehensive Answers to 20 Basic Questions

A guide to understanding telecommunications law and regulation in Michigan and the United States.

Contents

• The Power and Promise of Telecommunications
  • 1. Why is telecommunications policy important?
  • 2. What are the opportunities for reform?
• Transmission Basics
  • 3. How does this stuff work?
• History
  • 4. How did the Bell system secure a monopoly?
  • 5. When did telecommunications regulation take root?
  • 6. Is telecommunications a “natural monopoly”?
  • 7. What prompted the breakup of AT&T?
• The State of the Industry
  • 8. What is the nature of telecommunications competition today?
• Federal Statutes and Regulations
  • 9. What federal rules govern telecommunications?
  • 10. How have federal regulations affected the telecommunications market?
  • 11. What is the current status of federal telecommunications regulation?
  • 12. What are access charges?
  • 13. What is universal service?
  • 14. How does the government manage the broadcast spectrum?
• Michigan Law and Regulations
  • 15. How does Michigan regulate telecommunications?
  • 16. What are the pros and cons of the Michigan Telecommunications Act?
  • 17. What is the status of competition in Michigan?
• Recommendations for Reform
  • 18. How can telecommunications policy be improved?
• Glossary
  • 19. What is a “CLEC”?
• Links
  • 20. Where can I find more information?
• Endnotes
• About the Author

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