open spectrum

What's new on the spectrum? “We need more tools in the spectrum briefcase”: Discussing approaches to access with Mike Jensen
What's new on the spectrum? “We need more tools in the spectrum briefcase”: Discussing approaches to access with Mike Jensen 20 November 2018 APCNews

Internet access specialist Mike Jensen elaborates on the need for “more tools in the spectrum briefcase”, the challenges of changing restrictive regulation and the other key factors to developing connectivity beyond access to spectrum.

What's new on the spectrum? “Let's make sure we can use it for what is needed”: A conversation with Peter Bloom from Rhizomatica
What's new on the spectrum? “Let's make sure we can use it for what is needed”: A conversation with Peter Bloom from Rhizomatica 14 November 2018 APCNews

Peter Bloom highlights trends in spectrum regulation, the importance of empowering communities to govern their own telecommunications, and the need to see spectrum as “a potential to communicate over the airwaves” rather than a commodity to be owned. 

Submission on proposed policy on licensing unassigned high-demand spectrum and deployment of the WOAN
Submission on proposed policy on licensing unassigned high-demand spectrum and deployment of the WOAN 13 November 2018 Zenzeleni Networks, the Association for Progressive Communications, the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town and Rhizomatica

Written submission by Zenzeleni Networks, the Association for Progressive Communications, the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town and Rhizomatica on the policy directions to the authority on licensing of unassigned high-demand spectrum.

What's new on the spectrum? "Regulation cannot be static: Flexibility is required to accompany technological advances" - A conversation with Carlos Afonso from Nupef
What's new on the spectrum? "Regulation cannot be static: Flexibility is required to accompany technological advances" - A conversation with Carlos Afonso from Nupef 07 November 2018

Like other common goods, spectrum has historically been subject to gradual curtailment and private ownership. There are opportunities to change this scenario, which will depend on a new understanding of what the spectrum is and how to use it, as well as participation by civil society in debates. 

APC members in 2017: Nupef Institute launches collaborative multilingual website on spectrum usage policies and practices
APC members in 2017: Nupef Institute launches collaborative multilingual website on spectrum usage policies and practices 29 September 2018 Nupef Institute

The Nupef Institute supports the implementation of community networks in areas lacking internet access, both through the deployment of networks in regions that are not accessible and through the circulation of information on the dynamic use of spectrum.

Free spectrum and freedom of expression in the 21st century
Free spectrum and freedom of expression in the 21st century 21 September 2018 Adriano Belisário

Based on a review of the basic concepts regarding electromagnetic spectrum and its management, this article explores a few differences between the notions of “free spectrum” and “open spectrum” in order to understand some challenges related to freedom of expression in the 21st century.

Community Networks and Local Access Monthly Newsletter - Number 5
Community Networks and Local Access Monthly Newsletter - Number 5 26 April 2018

Welcome to the fifth monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks.

Ten years of TV white space advocacy
Ten years of TV white space advocacy 17 April 2018 Steve Song

On Friday, March 23rd 2018, the South African communications regulator (ICASA) formally gazetted Regulations on the Use of Television White Spaces spectrum. This means that, subject to type approval and to authorisation through a geo-location database, TV White Space wireless communication equipment can legally be used in South Africa. This is a pretty big deal. 

Joint comments to the Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Consultation on the Technical and Policy Framework for White Space Devices in Canada
Joint comments to the Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Consultation on the Technical and Policy Framework for White Space Devices in Canada 16 February 2018 APC and Internet Society

In this joint submission, APC and the Internet Society propose community network operators as a viable solution to reduce the disparity in broadband internet access affecting Canadians, predominantly from rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

Ending digital exclusion: Why the access divide persists and how to close it
Ending digital exclusion: Why the access divide persists and how to close it 13 April 2016 APC

In a new position paper from APC, we unpack the underlying causes of limited connectivity, analyse the shortcomings of current initiatives, and propose a set of policy responses to address the access gap.    

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