The marketplace and technological changes that have occurred since the last major revision of the Communications Act in 1996 have rendered existing law and policy woefully outdated, if not obsolete. In the past fifteen years there has been a switch from analog to digital services, from narrowband to broadband networks, and, most importantly, from a mostly monopolistic to a generally competitive environment. In Communications Law and Policy in the Digital Age: The Next Five Years, some of the nation's most eminent scholars explain why communications law and policy should be changed in response to these profound marketplace transitions. And, as importantly, the contributors explain how law and policy should be changed. There are many specific reform proposals offered in this collection of essays. Given the competition that has developed across most communications markets, the recommendations generally call for less government regulation and more marketplace freedom. With its forward-looking proposals, the book should be particularly valuable not only for academics and students, but for policymakers and law practitioners as well. Topics covered in the chapters include broadband and Internet policy, net neutrality regulation, spectrum policy and spectrum auctions, wireless regulation, universal service reform, public media reform, a new Digital Age Communications Act, and the political economy of communications reform. The contributors, each of whom is a recognized expert on the subjects they address, are: Representative Marsha Blackburn, Michelle Connolly, Seth Cooper, Ellen Goodman, Daniel Lyons, Randolph May, Bruce Owen, James Speta, and Christopher Yoo.

Looking through a historical lens, this new casebook examines the evolution of telecommunication law, policy, and technology from the telegraph to the Internet. It examines six key industries: broadcast, cable TV, telephone, satellite, wireless, and the Internet. The book’s novel format begins with introductory chapters analyzing the nature of spectrum and regulation of spectrum-based services and the history and technology that link the regulation of telegraph-to-telephone-to-the-Internet. This casebook analyzes conceptions of the public interest as defined by statute, case law, and FCC and state decision-making. It contrasts the legal and economic standards used by antitrust law as compared to communications law. It examines telecommunication regulation through the lens of five key concepts: functionality, ownership or licensing, access, speech, and the public interest. The casebook offers projects and hypotheticals that support analysis of issues from the perspective of constitutional, administrative and communications law, as well as statutory issues raised by communications and information technology regulation. Professors and students will benefit from: A mix of theoretical and practical readings that build understanding of telecommunications technology, law, and regulation. A format friendly to both in-person and online teaching and study. Offering a combination of text, PowerPoint slides, links to video materials, and commentary that can be shared with students or used by the professor, the casebook includes projects students can generate and share through a live or online class. Historical perspective of federal and state communications policy beginning with the creation of the telegraph system, through the evolution and growth of the telephone system, the growth of broadcasting, cable, and satellite, and the growth of the Internet and Internet of Things. Knowledge and skills to recognize and litigate statutory, constitutional, Administrative Procedures Act, and other legal issues. Legislative and regulatory drafting, analysis, and decision-making skills, consistent with legal standards. Case and regulatory analysis, questions and projects that support writing, experiential, or exam-based courses and the production of student papers and presentations. Student skill-building to file comments in FCC and state communications regulatory decision-making dockets, and to file amicus briefs for legal cases.