Module: Communications Infrastructures

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Communications Infrastructures
Module Code	EDU1119 (ITS: ES578)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	STEM Ed, Innov, Global Studies
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

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. 1DAAFEAB-1250-0001-CD5D-1CF914604400
2. demonstrate a proficient understanding of telecommunications infrastructure and internet connectivity concepts
3. 1DAAFEAB-1FDB-0001-376C-1ABF178C1722
4. critically analyse the economic value and need for developing broadband networks in their countries
5. 1DAAFEAB-26D2-0001-2D35-1670150B1372
6. describe and assess their countries’ telecommunications infrastructure with respect to peer countries with equivalent demographics and geographies and identify gaps and needs
7. 1DAAFEAB-2C51-0001-CC6A-1B40B34013C1
8. 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

Section Breakdown
CRN	10563	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Yvonne Crotty	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Error parsing Indicative Content: Syntax error - 4

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:

2009: A Framework for a Comprehensive National Broadband Strategy in South Africa, https://www.apc.org/en/system/files/SANBF_Framework_Draft_18032009.pdf, 9767, 1
The Economic Impact of Broadband: Best practices enable developing nations to reap economic benefits of broadband: http://www.intel.com, 9768, 1, ITU
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/treg/projects/ituec/Ghana/modules/Licensing.pdf:

Other Resources

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