496 Second Projects
From BluWiki
WiMax: Vaporware or the Real Deal?
Wiki: 496_Project_WiMax
Just as the title says, WiMax technology is supposed to be the next big thing in wireless data, replacing and improving upon Wi-Fi. What is the real story, in a short and accessible format? This project would produce a short, critical public education output about this new technology that would be helpful for NGOs working in this area. For this to be useful for NGOs, it is important that it considers the public interest implications of this new technology. (For instance, a public interest point might be: If Wi-Fi was so successful that Wi-Max was invented as its successor, why is Wi-Max licensed? Isn't one of the successful things about Wi-Fi that it was unlicensed? etc.)
- Jameson
- Frank
- Joe
Is There International Evidence for "Wireless Carterfone"?
Wiki: 496_Wireless_Carterfone
Can the U.S. look at evidence from other countries to answer the question: Is it useful to have rules that allow any handset to be used with any carrier? (or similar rules) In the U.S. this policy proposal is called "Wireless Carterfone" and it seems like a novel idea. But other countries (may) already have similar policies. What countries are doing a good job with this? Is there evidence it would lead to cool new phones or features? Lower prices? No more long-term contracts that lock you in to phones you can only use with one carrier? etc. The output for this project could be a cross between an international comparison and a "Consumer Reports" kind of piece. Unearthing specific examples that could be used by our advisors in policy debates would be very helpful.
. needs to be split into two sub groups, 1 grad student per group
- Chris J. (G)
- Micheal
- Chris K
- Shawn
- Sam (G)
- Paul
- Carlo
- Jason
What is the Government Up To?
Wiki: 496_Project_Public_Sector
The government is the largest user of the spectrum. In almost every country in the world it has legally reserved most of the spectrum for itself. Can we find out what it does with that vast amount of capacity? (Could use public records, the freedom of information act, etc.) Note also there is a current push to reform government use of spectrum so this might be a hot issue right now. Look for "public sector spectrum reform" efforts in many countries for ideas. e.g., see "Spectrum Reform: Too Much is Not Enough" or Public Spectrum Market Mechanisms Consultation (UK) or The President's Improving Spectrum Management Initiative.
- Max
- Drew
- Lindsay
Is Campus Wireless Emergency Notification Effective?
Wiki: 496_Project_Campus (same as old wiki)
Wireless doesn't work for emergency notification in school shootings because carriers have limits on how many text messages a user (?) can send at one time. UIUC just spent $100,000 on such a system but it may not help in a real emergency. How do these systems work? Is there a better way to protect students? Output: Come up with recommendations for universities.
. this needs to be split into 2 sub-groups, 1 grad per group
- Chris B.
- Brian
- Erinn
- Jake
- Brad
- Luis
Tribal Digital Village: A Documentary
Wiki: 496_Project_TDV (same as old wiki)
Assist Hope Hall in the production of a short documentary film about the Tribal Digital Village Project to wirelessly connect Indian Reservations in Southern California. Write scripts, questions. Assist with logistics. Travel to Southern California (if possible) to conduct filming, interviews, etc.
- Kristin
- Matt
Does Better Spectrum Policy Speed Tech Adoption?
Wiki: 496_Project_International (same as old wiki)
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? (it may be that they share a similar set of policies, OR a similar political culture or process of setting policy) [One of our advisors has offered us data about technology adoption in these and other countries.]
- Megean
- Amanda
- Bobby
Could We "Build" a Network Just By Encouraging Cooperation?
Wiki: 496_Project_Cooperation
If every privately-owned WiFi access point in Champaign-Urbana turned to a public Internet access point over night, just how thick would the coverage be? Survey C-U for access points. Since detecting an AP at a location does not guarantee access at that location, probe APs to estimate link qualities, or extrapolate from signal strength to link quality. What would it cost for a municipal/grassroots effort to replicate this coverage? What technologies and incentive plans can a community group or a city government offer to private individuals, that encourages them to offer open wireless access? Look at FON, "Students tout Wi-Fi coops", and "An Initial Assessment of Cooperative Action in Wi-Fi Networking" (last link only works from UIUC computers) for ideas.
- Dave
- Patrick
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