Module: Communications Infrastructures

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Communications Infrastructures
Module Code	ES578 (ITS) / EDU1119 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	STEM Ed, Innov, Global Studies
Module Co-ordinator	Yvonne Crotty
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module will ensure that participants critically examine and thus understand the central role of high-speed or broadband internet access for social and economic development. The key outcome of this module will be the enhanced ability of participants to champion the best approaches to the development, deployment and application of core broadband infrastructures for economic development. The merits and demerits of private versus public ownership or a combination of both will be explored as well as the emerging trends in this area. The need for both on-going investment in upgraded infrastructure and the importance of competition for consequent downstream costs will be explored.

Learning Outcomes

1. demonstrate a proficient understanding of telecommunications infrastructure and internet connectivity concepts
2. critically analyse the economic value and need for developing broadband networks in their countries
3. describe and assess their countries’ telecommunications infrastructure with respect to peer countries with equivalent demographics and geographies and identify gaps and needs
4. identify and examine a range of government interventions to promote the development of broadband network infrastructure.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	15	Tutorials / Seminar / Workshops
Online activity	10	Discussions
Group work	40	Assignment
Independent Study	85	Individual reading/reflection/research including online learning
Integrated training (INTRA)	90	Application in work place
Assignment Completion	10	One main individual assignment AND one leadership journal entry
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Communications & Telecommunications
• Communications concepts, technical terms and a strong understanding of the telecommunications industry

Economic value of enriched communications
• The economic value of enriched communications and how it is increasingly becoming a bedrock for development

Government strategies
• Understanding of how governments can help their countries to develop increasingly advanced communications infrastructure

Government roles
• The roles government can adopt and the balance that needs to be struck between intervention and enabling private markets.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category -

Indicative Reading List

McCalla J, Pepper R, Rueda Sabater E. from Cisco: 2009, Broadband Across Africa: Accelerating Benefits,

Other Resources

10375, Report, Analysys Mason, 2012, African Telecomms Perspectives, http://www.analysysmason.com,