License-exempt Wireless Policies: Unleashing the Internet for Rural Development

In October 2005, the Annenberg Research Network on International Communication (ARNIC) at the University of Southern California (USA) held a workshop - "Wireless Communication and Development: A Global Perspective" - as part of a multi-disciplinary effort to study the emergence of new communication infrastructures, examine the transformation of government policies and communication patterns, and analyse the social and economic consequences.

In this 18-slide PowerPoint presentation from that workshop, Michael L. Best and Raul Roman explore the role of 3 factors in democratising the provision of technology - not merely its use:

1. Development of low-cost technologies (in particular, terrestrial wireless)
2. Institutional support for micro and small enterprises
3. Creation of a supportive public policy environment, including unlicensed spectrum

Focusing in particular on the latter factor, the authors begin by presenting the claim that license-exemptions for 2.4GHz (radio) are a critical component to national policy that can be central in helping foster provision of information and communication technology (ICT), and the development of the ICT sector. Having categorised 50 of 54 African countries, the authors found through their research that 51% of African countries require full licenses for broadcast in 2.4 GHz. They indicate that there is considerable variation across countries in their regulation of these frequencies. Neither income level or region of the country does little to explain this variation. They note that African countries mostly treat 2.4 and 5 GHz similarly, but when there is variation it is to increase the strict control of 5 GHz. Further, countries tend to treat public versus private use differently, with tighter controls on public use.

The authors conclude with several graphs exploring whether and how spectrum policy relates to internet penetration. A loosening of restrictions appears to expand the number of internet users, both in public and private domains. Based on the authors' research, then, this type of public policy appears to contribute to a narrowing of the digital divide.