World Bank memo on spectrum reform

[ Feature from openspectrum.info here ]

Björn Wellenius and Isabel Neto have written a 17-page memo for the World Bank on spectrum management reform, emphasizing the potential advantages of "unlicensed commons."

The following excerpt tells the purpose of "The Radio Spectrum: Opportunities and Challenges for the Developing World," which was published on 29 June 2005:

"Spectrum management...has not kept up with major changes in technology, business practice, and economic policy during the last two decades. It lags far behind the development of competitive, private-sector led telecommunications reforms worldwide. A vigorous debate is underway on spectrum reforms to overcome persistent shortcomings of the traditional regime. This debate is accelerating and commanding broad public attention. While it is largely taking place in high-income countries such as the US and Europe, its significance is global. Spectrum reform offers low- and middle-income countries important new opportunities as well as challenges. This paper addresses three questions: What is the case for radio spectrum reform? What is the spectrum debate all about? Why does this matter to developing countries?"

+ Read the full report The Radio Spectrum: Opportunities and Challenges for the Developing World here