The Internet used to be defined primarily as a small set of
protocols and algorithms. Now, it has become a global ecosystem,
defined by the intersection of technology, infrastructure, economics
and policy considerations. The short course will try to address
questions such as:

* How does the Internet work physically and what are challenges to deploying new Internet access infrastructure, particularly in rural and low-income areas?
* How do DOCSIS, GPON and VDSL compare? What are their limits?
* How is money routed in the Internet among the key players - carriers, platform providers and advertisers?
* Is QoS viable in the Internet?

* What are the trade-offs of implementing zero-rating?
* Can we have an all-wireless Internet? What are key spectrum challenges?
* Most countries have a very small number of facilities-based Internet service providers. Why is that? Can this change? What are the plausible models for competition and where do they face challenges?
* What is Internet peering and what are the economic and policy considerations?
* What are definitions of the open Internet and how does this relate to network neutrality?
* What are key Internet policy questions and how are they decided?
* Can we get a secure Internet? If not, what can we secure and how? Can we make Internet security usable by non-experts?

The course includes a basic introduction to microeconomics and principles of telecommunication law in the US and Europe. A background
in network technology is helpful, but the course will provide related readings for students with a general engineering background.