An Introduction to Internet Governance 7th edition

Electromagnetic spectrum management While wireless communication is often seen as a more convenient alternative to the de‑ ployment of a wired infrastructure, one of the inconvenient features of the spectrum, however, is that it is scarce. Theoretically one could split each frequency segment into end‑ less smaller pieces, yet in practice the equipment we use – even though it is continuously improved to utilise the spectrum more efficiently – has limits to the narrowness of the frequency bands it can use and still avoid interference by other equipment with similar frequencies. This suggests that there should be an authority to allocate specific frequency bands for use by one or more types of radio communications services, as well as to assign specific segments of the spectrum to specific wireless operators – which includes TV sta‑ tions, radio emitters, mobile network operators, and Internet service providers, among others.

The frequency management in each country – i.e., decisions on which technologies and which providers can use which sub‑segment of the allocated spectrum and with what li‑ cences – is usually in the hands of the national telecommunications regulatory authorities, which further harmonise their national allocations with neighbouring and other coun‑ tries bilaterally or through regional initiatives (such as the EU’s Radio Spectrum Com‑ mittee (RSC) and the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG)) or international institutions (such as the ITU).

In the USA, as well as in most EU member states, for example, the granting of rights to use radio frequencies is done through submitting the frequencies to public auction processes.

The EU has also developed a comprehensive regulatory approach for radio spectrum man‑ agement, with the objective of introducing some level of harmonisation in the use of radio frequencies across member states.15 Licensing the use of certain parts of the spectrum and allocating them to those who can pay the most for it – such as mobile network operators – ensures that the spectrum will be used according to certain needs, but also brings good revenue for states.

The development of new communications services using radio spectrum, most notably wireless broadband and mobile communications, has increased the demand for radio frequencies, urging governments around the world to find solutions to accommodate an optimal spectrum use. One way to extend the usable spectrum band for digital communi‑ cations is to release large portions of the spectrum occupied by analogue TV broadcasters: by motivating broadcasting companies to turn from the analogue signal to a digital signal (which requires significant investment in new broadcasting equipment as well as addi‑ tional devices for each household, but brings better quality of service and opportunity for offering other services), important parts of the spectrum would be freed to be allocated to other services – the so‑called digital dividend.

The volume and limits of the use of spectrum are influenced by technological develop‑ ments. This has led to the argument, by some groups, that current government regulation should be replaced with an ‘open spectrum’, i.e., open access for all, which would follow the unlicensed approach used for regular Wi‑Fi (there is no licence needed to set up a home or another Wi‑Fi network). However, there are two potential problems with this view. One is related to the huge investment that telecommunications companies, especially in Europe, made in acquiring the rights to operate 3G and 4G mobile‑phone networks. An open spectrum policy would be unfair to these companies. It could trigger their bankrupt‑ cies and instability in the telecommunications sector. The other is that if the spectrum becomes a free‑for‑all resource, this does not necessarily mean that it will be used as a 39