Telecommunications Theory

For information about electrical telecommunication systems instead, see Communication Systems

To differentiate the field of Communication into sub classes may include a split from Communication Theory of Telecommunications theory. Communications has excellent subclasses already (small group communication, face-to-face communication, rhetoric and others) but the predominance and pervasive reality of mass media suggests at least a new field of study.

This book will build on the Communication Theory book already being worked on. For this book, we will deal exclusively with mass media messages mediated through technological forms. This covers telegraph, telephone, radio, television and the networked computer. In this case the channel in the standard communication model (transmitter – channel – receiver) will always be technologically related.

Like the Communication Theory book, this book approaches telecommunication theory from a biographical perspective, in an attempt to show theory development within a social context. Many of these theorists would not actually consider themselves "telecommunication" researchers. Like communications, the field of telecommunication study is remarkably inclusionary, and integrates theoretical perspectives originally developed in a range of other disciplines.

Sections to include:

Reasons why telecommunications theory is needed
Perspectives on Theory

Theorists and Approaches to Telecommunications

A printable version of Telecommunications Theory is available. (edit it)

To gain a comprehensive view of telecommunications theory, each approach theory or model will need its own page covering major points of the theory, its origin, criticisms and current state.