This specialized training offers a deep understanding of telecommunications and spectrum regulation law, focusing on the legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks that govern electronic communications, broadcasting, spectrum allocation, and digital infrastructure. Participants will explore how legal regimes adapt to emerging technologies such as 5G, IoT, AI-driven networks, and satellite communications, while ensuring fair competition, consumer protection, and national security. The course blends international best practices, regulatory case studies, and practical compliance exercises to equip participants with the skills needed to navigate the rapidly evolving telecommunications sector and to design legally sound and future-ready regulatory strategies.
Secure enrollment • Professional certificate included
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Understand the structure and evolution of telecommunications law and policy.
Interpret and apply international and national telecommunications regulatory frameworks.
Analyze the legal aspects of spectrum allocation, licensing, and frequency management.
Manage compliance and competition issues in the telecoms sector.
Address emerging challenges in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data governance.
Develop practical strategies for regulatory reform and industry governance.
Course Content
Module 1: Foundations of Telecommunications Law and Policy Key Study Areas: Evolution of telecommunications regulation and governance Roles of national regulators, international organizations (ITU, WTO) Telecommunications policy objectives: access, competition, innovation Institutional frameworks and regulatory independence Case Studies: Liberalization and reform of telecom sectors in the EU and Africa Comparative review of telecom policy frameworks (FCC, Ofcom, CA) Activities: Group mapping: telecom regulatory ecosystem in participants’ countries Policy review: assessing effectiveness of national telecom reforms
Module 2: Spectrum Management and Licensing Key Study Areas: Legal principles of spectrum ownership and use Licensing regimes: administrative, auction, and secondary markets Spectrum allocation and frequency coordination Dynamic spectrum access and 5G deployment challenges Case Studies: Spectrum auction disputes in India and Nigeria Cross-border frequency coordination in East Africa Activities: Simulation: design and evaluate a national spectrum auction Draft a sample frequency license agreement
Module 3: Telecommunications Infrastructure and Network Regulation Key Study Areas: Legal aspects of network development and interconnection Infrastructure sharing and access regulation Rights of way, tower regulation, and universal service obligations (USO) Emerging issues: submarine cables, satellites, and data centers Case Studies: Interconnection disputes among telecom operators Regulatory frameworks for infrastructure sharing in Kenya and the EU Activities: Draft a model infrastructure-sharing agreement Conduct a compliance review of a telecom network license
Module 4: Competition Law and Market Regulation Key Study Areas: Competition and antitrust in telecommunications markets Abuse of dominance, mergers, and acquisitions in telecoms Ex ante vs. ex post regulation Balancing competition and innovation in digital ecosystems Case Studies: Telecom merger cases: EU and U.S. precedents Competition enforcement in the mobile broadband sector Activities: Simulate a market dominance assessment for a telecom operator Analyze a merger transaction for antitrust risks
Module 5: Consumer Protection and Service Quality Regulation Key Study Areas: Legal standards for consumer rights and service quality Data protection and privacy in telecom services Net neutrality and fair access principles Billing transparency and dispute resolution mechanisms Case Studies: Data breach and consumer compensation cases in telecoms Net neutrality enforcement in the EU and India Activities: Draft a telecom consumer protection policy Group discussion: resolving customer complaints through regulatory mediation
Module 6: Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies Regulation Key Study Areas: Regulation of next-generation networks (5G, IoT, AI, and satellite systems) Convergence of telecoms, broadcasting, and internet regulation Legal aspects of OTT (Over-the-Top) services and VoIP Smart cities, digital infrastructure, and connectivity policies Case Studies: Legal challenges in regulating 5G deployment Policy responses to OTT service regulation (e.g., WhatsApp, Skype, Netflix) Activities: Develop a policy brief on regulating OTT communications Group simulation: drafting a framework for 5G infrastructure deployment
Module 7: Cybersecurity, Privacy, and National Security in Telecoms Key Study Areas: Legal obligations for cybersecurity and incident response National security screening in telecom investments Data localization and cross-border data transfers Balancing privacy rights and surveillance obligations Case Studies: Huawei and 5G security controversies Legal disputes over government surveillance programs Activities: Develop a telecom cybersecurity compliance plan Conduct a tabletop exercise for data breach incident response
Module 8: International Telecommunications Law and Cross-border Regulation Key Study Areas: ITU frameworks and international frequency coordination WTO agreements and trade in telecommunications services Regional integration frameworks (EU, ECOWAS, EAC) Cross-border roaming, connectivity, and regulatory harmonization Case Studies: Cross-border roaming agreements in the European Union Harmonization of telecom laws in the East African Community Activities: Draft a bilateral telecom cooperation agreement Mock negotiation: regional coordination of spectrum management
Module 9: Dispute Resolution and Enforcement in Telecoms Key Study Areas: Administrative and judicial remedies in telecom regulation Arbitration, mediation, and regulatory adjudication mechanisms Compliance enforcement and sanctions Role of regulators in consumer and operator disputes Case Studies: Dispute resolution between mobile operators and regulators Judicial review of regulatory decisions Activities: Mock hearing before a telecom regulatory tribunal Draft a dispute resolution clause for a telecom contract
Module 10: Future Trends and Innovation in Telecommunications Law Key Study Areas: Artificial intelligence and automated spectrum management Space-based communications and satellite broadband Blockchain and smart contracts in telecommunications Sustainable connectivity, digital inclusion, and green telecoms Case Studies: Starlink’s global licensing and policy implications Legal innovations in satellite and low-earth orbit networks Activities: Final group project: drafting a model telecommunications regulatory framework for a digital economy Presentation: policy roadmap for sustainable telecom sector growth
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for telecommunications lawyers, regulatory officers, policymakers, ICT executives, legal advisors, spectrum managers, compliance professionals, engineers, and consultants. It also benefits government officials, telecom operators, digital infrastructure investors, and corporate counsel involved in telecom regulation, digital policy, or competition law.
