What We Want
In network utopia, everyone will be connected across the digital divides of economics and geography. In network utopia, everyone will be connected with enough “bandwidth”—enough bits—that there will no longer be any impediment to innovation. Reaching network utopia may be possible by looking at where the most bits are: radio spectrum. Although spectrum has been treated like a scarce resource for almost one hundred years, today’s emerging technologies are altering this perception. There is actually an abundance of spectrum—more than enough for everyone.
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This future is not from the realm of science fiction. The FCC is attempting to grapple with these issues in order to determine the regulations and policies that will affect the governance and use of spectrum for the balance of this century. In 2002 the FCC created a special task force on spectrum policy; the task force produced a report with recommendations on new approaches for spectrum policy and management, and the report has been released for comments from the general public. The comments that were submitted to the FCC on this report will play a significant role in guiding the hand of the FCC as it crafts a set of rules to implement the findings of the task force.
+ Read more here
+ Article subsequently posted on Greater Democracy (28 July 2005):here
+ see also Dewayne Hendricks, Tuesday, May 24, 2005, Some musings on the future of wireless technology, The MediaCenter blog here
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+ Related:
Open Spectrum UK event: Wireless Utopias 05, Science Museum, London, 26 May 2005
+ event website here
+ includes: Michael J. Marcus, Sc.D., FIEEE, Thoughts on Basic Issues of Spectrum Policy, May 24, 2005
The basic framework for spectrum policy was developed in the early 20th century under conditions that were very different than today. Indeed, the sinking of the Titanic had a major impact on early policy development. In those days frequency were very limited and the 3-30 MHz band was called “high frequency” because it appeared to be an almost insurmountable limit. Demand for radio communications was expected to be long range and hence exclusive licenses were needed over large areas. There were few options for modulation and other technical parameters so government selection of choices seemed reasonable. It was not expected that enough spectrum would be available for anyone who wanted it so government selection of “haves” and “have nots” seemed reasonable.
Traditional spectrum management is the closest analogy to Soviet-style central planning that exists today outside of Belarus. Traditional spectrum management involves government intervention to balance supply and demand, forecasting when new technologies will become available, and predicting demand for new services. A veteran of the Soviet Union’s GOSPLAN (State General Planning Agency) would feel right at home!
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The growing success of Wi-Fi systems in the US and other countries has resulted in a reexamination of the role of unlicensed systems. The previous assumption that unlicensed systems would not attract investment was clearly over simplified. Unlicensed is not longer the step child of the spectrum management community although a controversy continues as too how large a role it should play in the future.
Read more
+ event wiki here
Unlike the previous speakers, I actually build wireless networks.
Before telegraph, the fastest communication was foot speed or sailing speed
Telegraph moved us from foot speed to light speed.
Marconi began offering commercial service by 1903, within 2 years of his first demonstration of practical wireless communication.
* Very fast uptake
At that time spectrum was a commons.
* Anyone could transmit or receive The sinking of the Titanic changed that and interference became an issue.
A regulatory path started in the US which has now become the FCC.
Spectrum went from a Commons to Property.
Now we face the transition from Light Speed to Warp speed.
Wireless makes points in space stand on top of each other.
2 years ago - Municipal Wireless Infrastructures weren't on the agenda.
* Now most cities in the US are announcing Wifi clouds.
* These are emergent systems - new things coming unpredictably all the time.
* Lots of stuff happening "under the radar"
Municipal wireless uses equipment designed for 300-foot ranges - and makes it go miles.
* Doesn't work perfectly, but works 'Good Enough'
Cheap, disposable equipment - user owned.
This first happened at the beginning of 20th Century
* Now we are doing that again, but at the same time we're in new territory.
* You are the experiment.
* You are the Marconis.
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