A major theme of the book is the historical duality of communications regulation in the FCC, and the pending trend of convergence between those dual regulatory worlds in the form of the Internet. Although some parts of the field are fairly considered to be "technical," the authors have provided detailed notes and background sufficient to make all parts of the field accessible to the generalist. A Teacher's Manual is available for this title.

Rapid changes in communication technologies are straining the existing system of electronic media regulation. Despite the increasing pace of technological change, the electronic media continue to be regulated under a well-established set of guiding principles. Principles such as the First Amendment, the public interest, the marketplace of ideas, diversity, competition, localism and universal service continue to serve as the primary objectives for policymakers and as the focal points for contemporary policy controversies.

'Due to their economic characteristics and also to their consequences on many aspects of collective life, information networks have always been at the edge of regulatory innovations and at the center of policy debates. the contributors of this volume combine long term visions of the factors determining regulatory policies with up-to-date analyses of technicalities to be dealt with, to provide the reader with an extended understanding of the issues and constraints shaping the future of digital networks.' - Eric Brousseau, Université Paris-Dauphine, France and the European University Institute, Italy

Since the last edition of the book was published, there have been a number of important developments in the telecommunications industry. Telecommunications Law and Regulation takes these changes into account, including an examination of the EU New Regulatory Framework, as well as the establishment of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). There are also new chapters on spectrum management (radio frequencies), and consumer protection rules. The access and interconnection chapter addresses the issues surrounding the high capacity broadband widely provided by Next Generation Networks.The chapter on licensing and authorisation has been refocused to reflect the increasing regulatory focus on the mobile sector. The chapter on regulating content has also been significantly restructured and revised to reflect the changes in how we consume content. Written by leading experts, it is essential reading for legal practitioners and academics involved in the telecommunications industry.