Governance, Risk, and Compliance Handbook: Technology, Finance, Environmental, and International Guidance and Best Practices

CHAPTER 39

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Angelia Fitts

39.1 LICENSES

39.2 REGULATED PRICING AND TARIFFS

39.3 HEALTH AND SAFETY

(a) Electronic Safety

(b) Hazardous Materials and Waste

(c) Public Safety

39.4 PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF CUSTOMER INFORMATION

39.5 CONTENT

NOTES

Note: The views expressed in this chapter are those of the author and are not necessarily those of AT&T or any of its subsidiaries.

The telecommunications industry has experienced unprecedented change over the past three decades. Fueled by a global economy and the advent of new technologies, few industries have experienced the sustained growth, success, and competition that telecom companies have. This success has a cost, though, and telecom companies have faced often confusing and ever-increasing regulation and compliance requirements. As new products and services converge and cross over traditional boundaries, compliance regulations will need to be reassessed and adjusted to protect consumers and promote competition.

In this chapter, we review general regulations and compliance requirements facing telecom companies. Although specific regulations vary by country and locality, requirements are similar in regard to environmental health and safety, antitrust, privacy and security of customer information, and regulated pricing and tariffs. We discuss recent and emerging issues, such as privacy and adult content, that impact the fastest growing segments of the telecom industry.

39.1 LICENSES

The Communications Act of 1934 established ...