This is why we have underserved communities – self-inflicted harm by accepting the limitations of a fictional resource.

 

What is spectrum?

You can’t see or feel radio spectrum. But any device that communicates wirelessly needs spectrum – such as televisions, car key fobs, baby monitors, wireless microphones and satellites. Mobile phones use spectrum to connect to a local mast so people can make calls and access the internet.

 

WRONG

 

That’s like saying that automobiles need tracks. It also uses the absurd term “access the Internet” as if there is a magical land called “Internet”. This is like saying that we need epicycles in order to navigate because that’s the way Ptolemy organized the planets.

 

It then says

Why does Ofcom manage spectrum use?

Only a limited amount of spectrum is available, so it needs to be managed carefully. Certain bands of spectrum are also used for different purposes. For example, mobile companies use different parts of the spectrum to TV companies. So, it needs to be managed to prevent services interfering and causing disruption to people and businesses.

As if we’re going to run out of the color blue. And radio waves don’t interfere, we just get confusion when we limited ourselves to frequency bands and, by throwing away rich context, we find ourselves confused.

 

We know that a best-efforts packet infrastructure that is indifferent to wires/wireless facilities works so much better.

 

So how do we get out of this 19th century mindset?

 

Bob Frankston

https://Frankston.com

 

From: dc3-bounces@listas.altermundi.net <dc3-bounces@listas.altermundi.net> On Behalf Of Luca Belli
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2019 11:16
To: Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity <dc3@listas.altermundi.net>
Subject: [DC3] New spectrum sharing approach by Ofcom

 

Hi all,

 

In case you have not seen it, Ofcom has proposed a very interesting new spectrum sharing approach

 

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/airwaves-opened-up-to-support-wireless-revolution?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

 

I have already added this to the section of informative documents in the DC3 outcome document      

 https://pad.codigosur.org/DraftPolicyModelCN

 

If you have any other suggestions regarding good informative studies on Access to infrastructure including spectrum; Licensing, fees and compliance; Taxation and funding, please add them to the pad

 

All the best

Luca

 

Luca Belli, PhD

Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation

+55 21 3799 5763  t @1lucabelli

Praia de Botafogo, 190 13º andar

Botafogo - Rio de Janeiro, RJ - CEP: 22250-900

luca.belli@fgv.br

internet-governance.fgv.br