Revolutionary Ideas for Radio Regulation

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National and international broadband strategies should include radical changes in radio regulation. Wireless technology that uses electromagnetic radio frequencies is key to rapid broadband development that reaches even geographically remote areas of the world. In considering radio regulation, too often policy-makers have focused on spectrum management and interference among radio signals. The most important questions are not whether to have open access to spectrum (a commons approach), or spectrum auctions, or spectrum property rights, or no property rights. Much more important is to examine the relationship of fundamental political choices to constitutional aspects of regulating use of radio devices.

To get radical changes in radio spectrum policy, a new world-wide conversation is needed around three questions. First, what is a good separation and balance of powers in radio regulation? Second, how should radio regulation be geographically configured? Third, how should radio regulation understand and respect personal freedom? Most persons understand revolutionary ideas that answer these three questions. The challenge is to recognize this common knowledge and apply it to radio regulation.

From Spectrum Policy to Regulating Radio Devices: Revolutionary Ideas about Governance

I. Liberty, Interference, and Regulation: Insights from Political Theory

II. Secure Property Rights: Legislation, Administration, and Adjudication in Radio Spectrum Regulation

III. Subsidiarity, Federalism, and Multi-Level Governance: Geographic Articulation in Radio Spectrum Regulation

IV. Common and Natural Rights: Respecting Human Freedom in Radio Spectrum Regulation

V. Public Knowledge about Governance and Expertise in Spectrum Policy

References

Data sets used in this work:


Other Work Related to Radio Spectrum Policy

A Desperate Case under the Commerce Clause: Federal Jursidiction Over All Radio Use
(pdf here)

Rapid Development of Communications Capabilities in Low-Income Countries
(pdf here)


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