Comunicação, vigilância e infraestrutura: tecnopolíticas do espectro eletromagnético | Communication, surveillance and infrastructure: techno-politics of the electromagnetic spectrum

RESUMO Este trabalho analisa algumas dinâmicas técnicas e políticas em torno dos usos e aplicações do espectro eletromagnético. Argumentando que a vigilância é parte intrínseca do desenvolvimento de certo modelo e arquitetura tecnológica em um nível infraestrutural, exploramos conceitos e práticas que buscam novas perspectivas de entendimento e ação dentro dessa camada essencial para os processos de comunicação que é o espectro. Iniciamos apresentando o espectro radioelétrico e seu gerenciamento para em seguida debater a noção de “espectro aberto” e seus usos mais recentes. Ao final, apresentamos exemplos que ilustram concepções alternativas técnicas e políticas por meio da noção de “espectro livre”.Palavras-Chave: Vigilância; Comunicação; Rádio; Espectro Eletromagnético; Tecnologia.ABSTRACT This paper examines technical and political dynamics around the uses and applications of the electromagnetic spectrum. Arguing that surveillance is an intrinsic part of the development of a certain technological model and architecture at an infrastructural level, we explore concepts and practices that seek new prospects for understanding and acting in this essential layer for communication processes that is the spectrum. We begin presenting the radio spectrum and its management to then discuss the notion of 'open spectrum' and its most recent uses. At the end, we present examples that illustrate alternative technical and political conceptions by means of the notion of a "free spectrum".Keywords: Surveillance; Communication; Radio, Electromagnetic Spectrum; Technology.

Beyond Licenced vs. Unlicenced: Spectrum Access Rights Continua

This is a background paper for an ITU Workshop on "Market Mechanismsfor Spectrum Management" (Geneva, Switzerland, 22-23 January 2007). Itsummarizes the Open Spectrum Foundation's global survey of Wi-Firegulations, with "thumbnail sketches" of the rules in over 170countries. It proposes a new ITU Study Question on how to reconcilethe growing recognition of licence-free radio bands as a "bestpractice" in spectrum management with the long-standing rule (nowfound in S18.1 of the International Radio Regulations) that allnongovernment radio transmitters must be licenced. Finally, itdiscusses the implications of regulators having the ability to createnew authorisation classes in the gap between licenced and unlicenced.That shifts the debate between proponents of (unlicenced) "openspectrum" - and the proponents of (licenced) spectrum as tradableproperty - onto unstable, unfamiliar ground. It could lead to"multi-dimensional bidding" in spectrum auctions - as is foundsometimes in government procurement tenders where bidders can combineprice offers and quality/performance commitments. It may also lead toan understanding of spectrum access rights as a continuum which can belinked to efficiency or politeness, and not just to willingness topay.

Media Licensing, Convergence and Globalization

Published in EastBound, Vol. 1, March 13, 2006For nearly a century, governments have imposed detailed limits on theuse of radio - who can use what frequencies and waveforms, at whatpower levels, in which locations, for what purposes. Licensessummarize these controls for specific users or stations. State controlof radio use goes far beyond what is accepted for other media,(publishing, photography, Internet, speech, etc.). Most people thinkthis is necessary to control interference; others felt thatbroadcasting was too powerful a social influence to be leftunregulated.But recently, there has been explosive growth in short-range, personaluses of radio - Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cordless phones, etc. The argumentsused to justify radio licensing seem inappropriate for such low-powerdevices. In fact, government regulation of purely personal, informalcommunications is unnecessarily intrusive and politically risky. Manycountries now allow some short-range wireless devices to be usedwithout a license in specific bands. In general, smarter radios go along way toward solving problems that once seemed to require rigidgovernment controls, giving rise to the open spectrum movement.At the same time, digitalisation and the widening use of TCP/IP makeit possible to transmit nearly any content through any channel. We useour mobile phones to take photographs, send text messages and watchvideoclips. Our cable television networks provide Internet access.Seeping out of their original contexts, dissimilar media traditionsnow mix and clash in interconnecting, hybrid networks. In thissituation, it is crucially important to the future of humancommunication which regulatory norms emerge as default choices anddominant models. Will it be broadcasting, telephony, publishing,Internet or ordinary speech that sets the tone for communicationspolicy in the age of ubiquitous networks? Which regulatory approach dowe WANT to set the tone?