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496 Project International

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Contents

Background Info

Some countries adopt ICTs at rates much higher than you would expect given their national income (Some examples are: Estonia, South Korea, Lebanon, Turkey, Nigeria, Bulgaria, Kenya, Costa Rica). Is there something about their spectrum policies that they have in common, which may contribute to this phenomenon?

A spreadsheet of our findings can be found here.

1st Conference call w/Dr. Dawn Nafus from Intel

February 27, 2008

Below is a rough collaboration of notes taken during our group conference call w/Dr. Nafus.


-Intel and University of Washington (Phil Howards) working together

-Could effect how we think about markets and adoption (US vs. ROW)

-Mature vs. emerging markets (wrapped in public policy)

-e-readyness index (ranking countries based on tech infrastructure; technology friendly environment?) -need to be rich country to be ready (is this accurate?)

-S.Korea and Estonia not super rich, but manage to build up a decent tech. infrastructure (WHY? HOW?) **Work is not published yet

-U. Washington- set of global measurements of tech adoption in relation to GDP

-Based on ethnographic work can build statistical model with U. Washington data and can analyze variables that play a role

-Collective identity- not groupthink, state as a unit (shared characteristic of S. Korea and Estonia); similar ethos in Japan -Leads to investing internally

-Population plays role -> Smaller population and geography makes building infrastructure easier

-Estonia in 1991(?) had public WiFi signs in A LOT of places

-Approach to technology that is normative is a differentiator -S. Korea doesn�t individuate; UK and US want to �one up� neighbor

-Developing way to measure distribution of tech in a country

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

If countries have diff. path to adoption (ex.not relying on money) there are particular ways to work with the governments that may be diff.

Are there specific things that happen w/spec. policy (and/or common attributes); setting policies diff? -Document what is going on w/spectrum in developing countries

Interested in Estonia, S. Korea, Morocco, Sudan (could be because of NGOs) Eastern European (Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, etc.)?Called accelerator countries

Middle Income countries -Not a lot of foreign/domestic trade w/these countries for GDP

Relation of Privatization, Policy, etc.

Tend to be physically small and smaller population; population has good access to government (friends/family more likely to know those in government? sways towards nepotism)

Accelerator countries- do they have frequencies that are normally open; similar method of licensing/auctioning/etc.

GROUP COMMONALITIES IMPORTANT

Dawn needs to deliver 5 principles on how tech helps the world which will fit in with 10 principles being delivered to UN by Intel Chairman.


Summary of Bobby's nations

Kenya

Kenya has unlicensed WiFi spectrum with registration fees (2004): http://itc.mit.edu/itel/docs/2004/ITS_paper_neto_best_gillett.pdf

Communications Commission of Kenya spectrum management: http://www.cck.go.ke/radiocomm_spectrum_management/

http://www.comminit.com/en/node/148320/38 (2007)


Korea, Rep.

"South Korea has the highest concentration of Wi-Fi hotspots in the world, but it uses only the 2.4-GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. Korean regulators have yet to authorize either the 1997 U-NII or 2003 US allocations for unlicensed devices in the 5-GHz band�some 555 MHz in aggregate. This implies that, regardless of the popularity of devices using existing allocations, additional increments of unlicensed bandwidth might not produce much value." (Oct 2006) http://dsonline.computer.org/portal/site/dsonline/menuitem.6dd2a408dbe4a94be487e0606bcd45f3/index.jsp?&pName=dso_level1_article&TheCat=1015&path=dsonline/2006/10&file=w5pub.xml&


Lebanon

"Take your laptop when you visit Lebanon, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that your responsibilities are just a click away. Using your laptop in Lebanon is easy when you follow the right procedures." Lebanon has 2.4 Ghz WiFi hotspots: http://www.ehow.com/how_2038526_use-laptop-lebanon.html


Lithuania

"WiFi in widely available in each country, with Lithuania�s incumbent in particular making an effort to expand its WiFi network to approximately 1,000 hot spots by 2007. We believe wireless broadband will become increasingly prominent in 2007 and beyond due to greater availability of portable and mobile wireless broadband services, as well as the growing popularity of laptop computers..." http://www.marketresearch.com/product/display.asp?productid=1397526&g=1


Macedonia, FYR

"The launch of a pre-WiMAX service in Macedonia has driven the cost of broadband connectivity down by around 50 percent in a period of just nine months." Macedonia Internet service operates on unlicensed 5 Ghz frequencies (Oct 2006): http://www.telecommagazine.com/newsglobe/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_2459

"In the developed world, broad technological dominance and advances in infrastructure deployment have led to commoditized Internet access. In parallel to these trends, two developing countries from different parts of the world are making history by deploying �state of the art� nationwide wireless broadband networks. These two nations, Macedonia and Mauritius, had nothing in common, but since early 2006, both of them will provide their citizens ubiquitous wireless Internet access. Since they will be the first countries in the world to deploy wireless networks at this scale..." (2006) http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/4124088/4124089/04124138.pdf?isnumber=4124089&prod=CNF&arnumber=4124138&arSt=43&ared=43&arAuthor=Angelov%2C+Bojan%3B+Rao%2C+Bharat


Malaysia

"The world�s leading outdoor WiFi solution provider, Altai Technologies Limited today announced the launch of city-wide WiFi network in Miri, Sarawak of Malaysia." (Jan 2008) http://www.altaitechnologies.com/files/pressroom/2008-01-21_Miri_Launch.pdf


Moldova

"Wi-Fi is permitted without a licence, although an authorisation is required." (2006) http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/internationalrel/docs/pi_study_rus_ukr_arm_azerb_bel_geor_kaz_mold/9_moldova.pdf


Mongolia

"In December 2005, USAID dispatched a Last Mile Initiative (LMI) team to test a Voice over Wireless Fidelity (VoWiFi) phone network in rural Mongolia." (Feb 2006) http://www.dot-com-alliance.com/newsletter/print_article.php?article_id=147

"The project supported the efforts of private telcom operators to bridge the gap in local access to communications in primarily rural, underserved areas of the country. The project�s support focused on achieving a sustainable approach -- both technically and commercially � to providing rural communications in Mongolia and elsewhere. On the technical side, the project tested a wireless technology based on Voice over WiFi (VoWiFI), which is a mobile phone version of the increasingly popular PC-based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)." (2007) http://dot-com-alliance.net/activities/activitydetails.php?activity_id=116


Bobby's Open Spectrum Additions

Brad's Findings To-Date

I found a publication from the International Telecommunications Union titled "ITU Survey on Radio Spectrum Management" that seems like it may be helpful. It lists very basic information about radio spectrum authority, spectrum policy, and spectrum planning for EVERY country of the world. It is quite interesting. It seems to have been published in January of 2007, making the findings more than likely still very relevant today. The individual listings for each country also provide links that are helpful. The link to the PDF is

http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/stn/spectrum/spectrum_resources/ITU_SURVEY_ON_RADIO_SPECTRUM_MANAGEMENT_17_01_07_Final.pdf

With regards to individual countries, I found one very interesting document. The Caribbean Telecommunications Union has a Caribbean Spectrum Management Task Force working to create a spectrum management policy framework for all countries in the Caribbean. Interestingly, of the 7 countries I had to investigate for our group, a seemingly disproportionate number were countries in the Caribbean (n = 3). It could be that the implication of the Caribbean Spectrum Management Policy Framework has worked for Caribbean countries. The consultation document for the Caribbean framework can be found at this link:

http://www.mct.gov.jm/DRAFT%20%20REGIONAL%20SPECTRUM%20MANAGEMENT%20POLICY%20FRAMEWORK%20_v2_.pdf

In Bulgaria, the Communications Regulations Commission (CRC) implements the state sector policy in telecommunications. From their website, "CRC is a specialized independent state authority, entrusted with the functions of regulation and control over the carrying out of the electronic communications. In the context of equity and transparency and in compliance with the Bulgarian legislation, CRC strives to promote the competition of the telecommunications markets in the country. The national regulator proceeds, aiming at the increase of the sector investments, the new communications technologies� development and the protection of the end-users in Bulgaria." The website of the CRC is http://www.crc.bg/index.php?&lang=en

They apparently also have, as either a sector of the CRC or a separate body, the Council of Electronic Media, whose information with regards to licensing was only available in Bulgarian.

All of the general regulations and laws passed by the CRC are available on their website but are damn difficult to understand. Take the following link to their laws of telecommunications for example:

http://www.crc.bg/files/_en/LAW_OF_THE_TELECOMMUNICATIONS.htm

Information about Benin was found at http://www.afridigital.net/country_profile.php?id=31

The Ministry of Culture and Communication is responsible for regulating the telecommunication sector in Benin. The Office des postes et t�l�communication (OPT) is a public corporation currently operating as a monopoly in all telecommunications services. However the Ministry is planning to restructure the sector and open the market. Restructuring of the nationally controlled broadcasting sector has also recently taken place. As a result Benin now has one private television (LC2), a company called TELCO which redistributes foreign chains such as CANAL HORIZON and MCM Africa and another private television company is due to start in the coming weeks. Ten private radio stations have received licenses and six or seven have begun broadcasting.

The following paper seemed useful when searching for information about Costa Rica: http://www.law.gmu.edu/assets/files/publications/working_papers/06-44.pdf

Most of the information I found on Costa Rica is all in Spanish. Give that I don't speak Spanish, I am working on finding similar sites in my native tongue.

In addition to the Caribbean framework consultation paper mentioned above, the following paper is on the telecommunications policies in Jamaica and Dominica, which are two of the countries on our list: http://www.fogadaley.com/Telecom_001.pdf

I am not getting much from Estonia's government-based website, as they have apparently recently undergone major changes in structure and a bunch of smaller departments/organizations have become the Division of Electronic Communications: http://www.tja.ee/?id=12386.

Still working on Estonia though.

The national development strategy for Guyana's information technology can be found at http://www.sdnp.org.gy/nds/chapter6.pdf.


OPEN SPECTRUM INFO

The following information was retrieved from OpenSpectrum about WiFi licensing in the countries that I was to research:

Benin: Decisions on WiFi were made on a case-by-case basis before the government shuttered the regulatory agency in May 2006.

Bulgaria: License exempt. "General license" required since May 2004 for mobile phone network operators wanting to expand their service offerings into license-free bands.

Costa Rica: License exempt up to 200mW with no "external" antenna.

Dominica: XXX

Estonia: License exempt. Estonia is a world leader in hotspot deployment.

Guyana: WiFi is certainly license for WISPs and public access services, and possibly licensed for everyone else as well.

Jamaica: XXX

Megean's Country Findings

Accelerator Countries

Source: openspectrum.info (unless otherwise noted)

Morocco

  • There are 20 locations where free use of wireless is prohibited in the 2.4 GHz band, including the largest cities, such as Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, and Fes.

Netherlands

  • In the band 2.4 and 5.8 GHz, all applications are license exempt if they meet the following criteria: frequency band of 2400-2483.5 MHz or 5725-5875 MHz with a respective maximum power of 10 mW e.i.r.p. and 25 mW e.i.r.p.

New Zealand

  • All persons transmitting radio waves are required to have a license to transmit, or a specific legislative exemption from licensing. Some transmissions are covered through General User Licences (GUL) and do not need to apply for an individual license. Exemptions are only considered if the Chief Executive considers a radio license to be unnecessary for the efficient and effective management of spectrum. Licensing Info
  • 18 Dec 2007 2.3 and 2.5 bands were auctioned off for WiMAX or cellular use. Auction Results
  • Also, commercial allocation of part of the 3.5 GHz band auctioned for wireless broadband access. Wireless Broadband Auction
  • General User Licenses (GUL): Equipment may be freely used by anyone and must meet tech standards of the Radiocommunications Notice 2007
    • WLAN and Related in 2 & 5 GHz bands: Basically, power restrictions exist depending on the band, and transmission is limited to point-to-point applications. Sometimes specifications on modulation (aka frequency hopping or digital) exist, and users supposed to cooperate with one another.
  • Radio Spectrum Allocations Chart
  • Specific WLAN Allocation: Also compares New Zealand policy with other countries and the ITU.
    • 2.4 - 2.4835 GHZ for WLAN: 1W any modulation, any usage; 4W w/ frequency hopping & digital modulation only
    • Other bands in which WLAN is permitted: 5.15-5.25 GHz GURL 250 Mw; 5.25-2.35 250 mW e.i.r.p. with no requirements for indoor use; 5.47-5.725 the Ministry is currently investigating the feasibility of allocating band for WLAN use and are discussing ideas with existing license holders; 5.725-5.875 4W e.i.r.p. with some conditions, under consideration for Dedicated Short Range Communications

Nigeria

  • 5.2-5.7 bands can be used to provide WiMAX and Wi-Fi services. 5.47-5.725 GHz band is licensable, and 5.25-5.35 GHz and 5.725-5.875 GHz bands are unlicensed.
    • Commercial operators are licensed.
    • Power is restricted to a mean e.i.r.p. of 1W (5.47-5.725 band restricted to a maximum transmitter power of 250 mW).
  • To ensure interference-free operation in the 2.4 GHz band, as well as guaranteed services to subscribers, providers of commercial services in this band are required to obtain and ISP license.
  • Deployment of WiFi [1]
  • VoIP Guidelines [2]

Paraguay

Romania

  • 2.4 GHz band is unlicensed, although equipment restrictions exist.

Senegal

  • The spectrum regulator, responsible for spectrum management, is funded entirely by spectrum fees.
    • "The cost of applying for authorization is 250,000 CFA francs (~380 euros) and for the authorization itself, 500,000 CFA francs (~760 euros)."
    • The cost for authorization to use a band alone would be a large restricting factor in spectrum use.
  • Power output is restricted to 10 mW in 2.4 GHz band for frequency-hopping designs and to 100 mW for direct-sequence designs.
  • Power output is limited in 5.1-5.3 GHz band to 100 mW and to 1W in 5.4-5.7 GHz band.

Slovak Republic (Slovakia)

  • "Internet Service Providers can offer wireless access in bands other than 2.4 GHz and 5.470-5.725 GHz using spread spectrum at powers of up to 1 watt without the need for licensing or registration."
    • However, a controversy surrounding a ban of non-standard antennas for Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz band suggests some equipment restrictions.

Stalled Countries

Source: openspectrum.info

Central African Republic

  • Wi-Fi for indoor use is unlicensed. Otherwise, it is licensed, but not enforced.

Ethiopia

  • "Spread spectrum devices are subject to type approval instead of licensing, and are defined as operating in the 2.4000-2.4835 GHz, 5.1500-5.3500 GHz, or 5.4700-5.7250 GHz band. 'The equipment to be used in Ethiopia shall be designed for indoor use. The maximum allowed transmitter power shall be 100 mW... No repeater station may be used to extend the radio coverage of a spread spectrum device... A spread spectrum device shall be used for an in-building or localized on-site operation. A Spread spectrum device may not be used for commercial service provision and/or Wide Area Network (WAN)...'"

Guinea

  • Licenses are automatically issued for 2.4 GHz WLAN use, no restrictions exist on the type of service. A license must be obtained, however, for phone to phone VoIP. Additionally, possible regulations for the 2.4 GHz band are being discussed.
  • Guinea is also a highly censored country [3]. Liberalization of wireless and ICT policies and practices may be limited due to political censorship.

Ghana

  • While some countries don't require a paid license to operate in the unlicensed Wi-Fi spectrum, Wi-Fi users in Ghana must pay for one.
    • Charges for "Spread Spectrum Usage" in the 2.410-2.483 and the 5.770-5.850 GHz bands by private network services are $500 per region for initial authorization and $300 per region for an annual renewal fee. "'Per region' suggests services provided by wireless ISPs, and indeed, the NCA told Isabel Neto that the primary users of the 2.4GHz band are 'telecommunications operators' and ISPs." Authorization fees for public and corporate data network services are $8000 and $6400 respectively for annual renewals.
  • WiFi in Ghana is license exempt but "registration" is required - perhaps for those offering public access services? There is no specified power limit. The 5.725-5.875 GHz band is also unlicensed.
  • Plans exist to cover the capital, Accra, and the ten largest commercial cities such as Tamale, Kumasi and Tema in the first phase for a WiMAX 802.16e network in Ghana.
  • Community Wireless Networks in Ghana.

Kiribati (no information found)

Malawi

Nepal

  • The government of Nepal declared that the use and storage of radio equipment in the ISM Band of 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz with the Maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power of 4 Watts does not require any license.
  • Nepal Wireless Networking Project

Oman

  • Wi-Fi systems compliant to the standards 802.11a, 802.11b/g are permitted to be used for indoor use only, and on a non-protection non-interference basis. However, guidelines are being created on the use of WLAN equipment in the Sultanate. Low-power devices (less than 100 mW) operating in the ISM band (2.4 and 5.8 GHz ranges) are unlicensed.
  • Omantel announced plans to add a number of hotspots outside Muscat that allow for the use of its Wi-Fi.
  • Omani schools go wireless

For Open Spectrum

Additions

  • Paraguay: A license is required only when the transmitting power is equal or greater to 10 milliwatts. (2003) (Source: Global Survey of Spectrum License Exemptions)
  • New Zealand:
    • All persons transmitting radio waves are required to have a license to transmit, or a specific legislative exemption from licensing. Some transmissions are covered through General User Licences (GUL) and do not need to apply for an individual license. Exemptions are only considered if the Chief Executive considers a radio license to be unnecessary for the efficient and effective management of spectrum. Licensing Info (updated November 2007)
    • 18 Dec 2007 2.3 and 2.5 bands were auctioned off for WiMAX or cellular use. Auction Results
    • Also, commercial allocation of part of the 3.5 GHz band auctioned for wireless broadband access. Wireless Broadband Auction (updated March 2008)
    • General User Licenses (GUL): Equipment may be freely used by anyone and must meet tech standards of the Radiocommunications Notice 2007
      • WLAN and Related in 2 & 5 GHz bands: Basically, power restrictions exist depending on the band, and transmission is limited to point-to-point applications. Sometimes specifications on modulation (aka frequency hopping or digital) exist, and users supposed to cooperate with one another. (updated September 2007)
    • Radio Spectrum Allocations Chart
    • Specific WLAN Allocation: Also compares New Zealand policy with other countries and the ITU. (updated July 2007)
      • 2.4 - 2.4835 GHZ for WLAN: 1W any modulation, any usage; 4W w/ frequency hopping & digital modulation only
      • Other bands in which WLAN is permitted: 5.15-5.25 GHz GURL 250 Mw; 5.25-2.35 250 mW e.i.r.p. with no requirements for indoor use; 5.47-5.725 the Ministry is currently investigating the feasibility of allocating band for WLAN use and are discussing ideas with existing license holders; 5.725-5.875 4W e.i.r.p. with some conditions, under consideration for Dedicated Short Range Communications
  • Nigeria
    • Deployment of WiFi [4] (May 2004)
    • VoIP Guidelines [5]

Dead Links

  • Morrocco: all links were dead except for Rapport d'Activit� Ann�e universitaire 2002-2003, from the Institut National des Postes et T�l�communications [Rapport d'Activit� Ann�e universitaire 2002-2003, Institut National des Postes et T�l�communications]
  • Netherlands
    • "Flexibel en doelmatig - Advies van de commissie Frequentiebeleid" [6]
    • and its "comments by other interested parties" [7]
    • "Resultaten consultatie NFP2005" link [8]
  • New Zealand
    • First 6 bullet points and the opening quote have dead links.
    • "Auckland Wi-Fi tender may not prove tempting" [9]
    • New Zealand Spectrum Management - A Decade in Review: 1989-1999 [10]
    • "Big firms put off RFID trial" [11]
    • Waitangi Tribunal [12]
    • "earlier Tribunal report from 1990" [13]
  • Nigeria: "Sales and Operation of Unauthorised Wireless Equipment and Gadgets" [14]
  • Paraguay: WirelessPY.org [15]
  • Romania
    • "Evolution of world-wide acceptance of 2,4 and 5GHz bands" [16] and Order Number 423 [17]
    • "DECIZIE Nr.62/25.01.2005: Privind Categoriile de Frecven?e Radioelectrice a C?ror Utilizare Este Liber?" [18]
    • "Indicative and Non-Exhaustive List of Equipment or Sort of Equipment" [19]
    • "Trends in the Information Technology and Telecommunication Sector" [20]
  • Senegal
    • West African Common Market Project: Harmonization of Policies Governing the ICT Market [in] the UEMOA-ECOWAS Space - Radio Spectrum Management [21]
    • "Decision N� 2004-005 ART/DG/DRC/D.R�g - Determinant les Caracteristiques et les Conditions Techniques d'Utilisation des Reseaux et des Installations Radioelectriques Exclusivement Composes d'Appareils de Faible Puissance et de Faible Porteed" [22]
    • "Telecommunications Sector Reforms in Senegal, Volume 1" [23]
  • Slovakia: SK Freenet [24]
  • Central African Republic: all are good!
  • Ethiopia: all are good!
  • Guinea: http://www.getesa.gq/ now works
  • Ghana: Licensing page [25] and Table of Fees page [26]
  • Kiribati- no page listed
  • Malawi: "MalawiNet offers wireless internet" by Henry Chilobwe, Malawi Nation Online [27]
  • Nepal: "The Radio Communication (License) Regulation" [28]
  • Oman
    • Telecommunications Regulatory Authority's FAQ [29]
    • "Note on Licensing Options" [30]
    • "Omantel set to unveil IT revolution," Times of Oman [31]

Amanda's Country Policy Findings

As of March 5, 2008

Slovenia

�We found 76 Wi-Fi locations in Slovenia. Please select a region from the list below to narrow your search.�

From JiWire WiFi Finder and Hotspot directory: http://www.jiwire.com/browse-hotspot-slovenia-si.htm

St. Lucia

�While you might twitch at the thought of no WiFi access, remember that St. Lucia is all about disconnecting from the stresses and strains of everyday life.� From article on 3 Days in St. Lucia at: http://www.askmen.com/fashion/travel_150/178_travel_tips.html More Policy Info: http://www.ntrc.org.lc/Laws%20and%20Regulations/Telecoms%20Regulations/No.%2014%20of%202002.pdf

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

�3 Wi-Fi locations in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines�

Found at the following address: http://usatoday.jiwire.com/hot-spot-directory-browse-by-state.htm?provider_id=0&country_id=185

More Policy Info: http://www.ntrc.vc/regulations/Spectrum%20Man%202002%20SRO%20NO%2012.pdf

Sudan

From February 2007: �Sudan-based Canar Telecom has launched the country's first 3G network. This service would be provided under the brand name Canar Go. This network would be based on a Wi-Fi system. Ali Ben Jarsh, the chief executive officer of Canar Telecommunications, said that this wireless broadband service would constructively contribute to the development of business of ...�

Rest of article at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5072/is_200702/ai_n19220656

More Policy Info: http://www.ntc.org.sd/english/index.htm

Sweden

�If It�s not enough that TeliaSonera has blanked Sweden with Wi-Fi, more is coming: The Cloud has formed a norther subsidiary, The Cloud Nordic, that will challenge TeliaSonera�s Swedish primacy by installing hotspots in 55 Swedish train stations. Eventually, all 178 train stations in Sweden will have hotspot service. (In the U.S., we have maybe a dozen so equipped.) Telia HomeRun lists nearly 500 locations in their Swedish directory.� Rest of article at: http://wifinetnews.com/archives/004459.html More Policy Info: http://www.pts.se/Archive/Documents/EN/The_Electronic_Communications_Act_2003_389.pdf

Togo

Turkey

�Going online is pretty easy and inexpensive in Turkey. Most hotels, inns, pensions and hostels either have a computer dedicated to the Web and email for guests' use, or the owner will allow you to use an office computer. If you travel with your own laptop computer, most hotels, particularly the small and medium-sized ones�offer fast (ADSL) wireless Internet access (Wifi) in at least one public space, such as the lobby or lounge. More and more hotels have repeaters that convey the signal to all the guest rooms as well. Wifi access is usually free in smaller hotels and inns. Even cave rooms in Cappadocia and tree houses in Olimpos on Turkey's Mediterranean coast have Internet connections! Cafes and some restaurants in the largest cities are also setting up Wifi access for their customers. Major Turkish airports have Wifi, and it's showing up in ever more public buildings. You may have to ask the hotel staff for the password to access their system.�

Information found at: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/Communications/InternetAccess.html

More Policy Info: http://www.tk.gov.tr/eng/pdf/eng-2005.pdf

Zimbabwe

�The Wireless Open Source and Refurbished (W.O.R) computers project, is an implementation that is seeking to provide fast and cheap Internet connectivity into schools using a mix of low cost technologies (refurbished computers, open source software), low cost wireless access (ISM 2.4 GHz frequency band) and low cost policy enablers (discounted education e-rate for Internet access). This is a pilot project, working on the premise that any computer in a school must be necessarily connected to the Internet if the ICTs in education model is designed to enhance teachers and learners educational experiences. Whilest the physical access to ICTs is a precondition for this to happen, the solution should also be affordable in terms of costs, available in terms of consistent broadband connectivity and appropriate technologies that can deliver such a promise.�

More information at: http://www.fmfi.org.za/wiki/index.php/Zim_WiFi:Project_Overview


Brad's Stalled Countries & "Fix Its" for Open Spectrum

Cameroun: 2.4 band is licensed and apparently extremely saturated.

Vanuatu: Both are licensed

Honduras: Slow to develop because half of the population lives below the poverty line and there is no telephone service at all in large parts of the country.

India: WiFi is licensed, WiMax is both licensed and unlicensed (more recently)

Mozambique: WiFi seems to be unlicensed, but difficult to decipher.

Azerbaijan: Both are licensed

Gabon: Both are licensed, but it seems like many people are using spectrum without authorization



Bulgaria dead links:

-Law on Telecommunications published in the State Gazette (bullet point 2) -National Frequency Plan (bullet point 3) -English translation of Regulation # 14 (bullet point 4)

Estonia

-The Estonian Radio Frequency Allocation Plan (bullet point 2) -Principles of the Estonian Information Policy 2004-2006 (bullet point 8)

Jamaica

-Proposal for Declaring License Exempt Spectrum (bullet point 2) -Global Research Center (bullet point 4)

Mozambique

-Regional Market Analysis needs password for access (bullet point 6)

Does Better Spectrum Policy Speed Tech Adoption?

There are many ways to approach this question, and we chose to focus on wireless technologies, mainly WiFi and WiMax.

What is WiFi? Technology that uses wireless spectrum in the 2.4 GHz band; the most popular form of short-range wireless internet communication (hotspots)

What is WiMax? Technology that uses wireless spectrum typically in the 5 GHz band; used for long-range internet communications from an internet service provider to an end-user

Once we focused on WiFi and WiMax, we then examined and compared the policies of the Technology Metabolism Index's accelerator and stalled countries. We primarily looked for the ability to access WiFi and WiMax and the degree of regulation of these wireless bands. We decided that by examining the levels of liberalization in the policies of the accelerator countries, and then comparing them to countries with different rates of technology adoption, we would then be able to find a correlation between wireless policy and technology adoption.

What We Found

Statistics

15 of 27 (~56%) of the accelerator countries have some degree of unlicensed wireless policy in the 2.4 GHz range. Of these unlicensed wireless countries, ~53% (8 out of 15) have restrictions on the wireless policy, which vary from registration, to power, equipment, and type of use restrictions.

Of the 16 accelerator countries of which we found wireless policies in the 5 GHz range, 7 (~44%) countries had some degree of unlicensed policy.

7 of 20 (~35%) of the stalled countries have some degree of unlicensed wireless policy in the 2.4 GHz range. Of these unlicensed wireless countries, ~71% (5 out of 7) have restrictions on the wireless policy, which vary from registration, to power, equipment, and type of use restrictions.

Of the 13 stalled countries of which we found wireless policies in the 5 GHz range, 5 (~38%) countries had some degree of unlicensed policy.

Analysis

A greater number of stalled countries have licensed wireless policies than the accelerated countries. In other words, a correlation between an unlicensed wireless policy and more technology adoption does exist.

Regardless of unlicensed or licensed policy, we noticed that the accelerator countries have more extensive use of wireless hotspots. This observation might suggest that countries that lack Information Communication Technology infrastructure can improve technology adoption by building and implementing a government-based wireless internet network (also known as a municipal wireless network).

  • Examples of accelerated countries w/ government licensed broadband networks: Malaysia & Macedonia
  • Similarly, Mongolia has a licensed voice over WiFi (VoIP/VoWiFi) network because they lack a telecommunications infrastructure in many parts of the country.

It is important to note that this finding does not necessarily mean that unlicensed policies cause or even encourage a quicker or greater rate of technology adoption. A greater rate of technology adoption or a more developed technology infrastructure may cause a more developed wireless policy. For example, some countries may have no wireless policy because wireless technologies are rarely used in that country. The technology policy may reflect the technology use in that country.

Future research could be aimed at establishing causality.

Future Research

The question still remains, why do the accelerated countries have a better technology infrastructure than the stalled countries? Areas we found for potential additional research:

  • Perhaps, the key factor is cultural. Many of the accelerator countries are small and have a more collective rather than individualistic culture. Smaller countries may be able to implement thorough technology infrastructure more easily due to a smaller geographic range? Perhaps the collective culture relates to an encouragement of technology adoption for the improvement of society?
  • Do municipal wireless networks affect technology adoption?
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