Wireless technology

TV white space spectrum workshop looks at Kenya and South Africa
TV white space spectrum workshop looks at Kenya and South Africa 10 August 2011 APC

Unused TV white spaces could be the way to get highspeed wireless internet to millions living outside major African cities. Manufacturers are gearing up for mass production of white space devices and now is the time to act. APC and partners are coordinating an important workshop for govt officials, regulators and professionals in October.    

I Can Stalk U - Raising awareness about inadvertent information sharing
I Can Stalk U - Raising awareness about inadvertent information sharing 04 April 2011 GJ

The aptly named icanstalku.com attempts to expose the dangers inherent in posting information — in this case pictures — online in a rather unconventional way: the site regularly updates its news feed with individuals’ user names and locations, all gleaned from photos posted to Twitter.

Open spectrum for development: Brazil case study
Open spectrum for development: Brazil case study 09 March 2011 Carlos Afonso, with collaboration from Jonas Valente

For about 75 years up to the sixties, nearly all telecommunications services in the country were in private hands, distributed among hundreds of local operators. Telephony authorizations were issued and controlled by the state governments. In this process Companhia Telefônica Brasileira emerged as a major operator of local and long-distance services, covering about 80% of the telephone termina...

India's untapped potential: Are a billion people losing out because of spectrum?
India's untapped potential: Are a billion people losing out because of spectrum? 28 February 2011 LC

As one of the world’s fastest growing economies and with over 65% of its billion-plus population under 35, India has huge potential. But according to a new report by Shyam Ponappa, commissioned by APC the current model for managing spectrum in India could be a huge barrier to the country’s economic and social development. Instead, he suggests that “it would be much more conduc...

Open spectrum for development: South Africa case study
Open spectrum for development: South Africa case study 18 February 2011 Steve Song

Prior to 1994, spectrum in South Africa was managed by the state body responsible for its implementation. Thus broadcast spectrum was managed by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and telecommunications spectrum managed by the state telecommunications provider, Telkom. This was generally uncontentious because, prior to the rise of mobile telecommunications and wireless broadband,...

Open spectrum for development: India case study
Open spectrum for development: India case study 03 February 2011 Shyam Ponapa, Centre for Internet and Society

Spectrum management and regulation is the collective responsibility of more than one body in India. There are different bodies handling spectrum licensing, regulation, pricing, and the levy of penalties; some bodies have only an advisory role.

More spectrum could make licensing a more transparent process in Nigeria
More spectrum could make licensing a more transparent process in Nigeria 24 January 2011 Fola Odufuwa

Nigeria is arguably one of the leading countries in Africa with respect to spectrum deregulation and licensing. However while the country follows best practices on the telecommunications side, the process for allocating broadcasting licenses and frequencies lacks transparency and is still dependant on Presidential approval. As the two regulatory bodies prepare to merge to form a single entity, ...

Opening up spectrum can prevent Kenya from running out
Opening up spectrum can prevent Kenya from running out 22 December 2010 LC

Currently, about 20 million Kenyans own mobile phones. Mobile phones receive their signals over electromagnetic waves that are also used for everything from home appliances like microwave ovens and remote controls, to the radio and internet. These waves are assigned different frequencies or spectrum so that they don’t interfere with each other. However Kenya is at risk of running out of spect...

Open spectrum for development: Nigeria case study
Open spectrum for development: Nigeria case study 16 December 2010 Fola Odufuwa

With hundreds of telecommunications and broadcasting licenses granted since 1992, Nigeria is arguably the leading country in Africa with respect to spectrum deregulation and licensing. There are over currently 350 licensed broadcast stations in operation in the country. With the global trend that will see two regulatory bodies merge, this report questions which regulatory body’s practice of a...

What's the “digital dividend”?  West African digital broadcast migration
What's the “digital dividend”? West African digital broadcast migration 22 November 2010 Russell Southwood

Nollywood is bigger than Hollywood —Nigeria produces a massive 200 films a month— yet 80-90% of content on most African TV stations comes from other continents. As African nations plan to move to digital broadcasting by 2015 it’s time for serious shifts to be made. APC and Balancing Act launch a new initiative to lower the costs and maximise the benefits of migration for citiz...

« Go back