By the 1990s many sectors including electricity, airlines and telecoms had been liberalised, moving from government to private control. Spectrum was no exception: rather than governments deciding who could access the airwaves, auctions were increasingly used for mobile spectrum, meaning the licence went to the highest bidder.
But how well has this worked, considering that mobile ownership is no longer a nice-to-have luxury but an essential utility for living and working in the digital age?
To debate this issue we speak to two leading economists, Professor Martin Cave and Professor Gerard Pogorel.
Further reading:
Spectrum 101: The pros and cons of spectrum auctions
Spectrum Audit makes proposals to shift public sector thinking
PolicyTracker marks the 20th anniversary of the Cave review of UK spectrum management
Spectrum assignments need a rethink, say academics
WRC-23 Special - How is the ITU defining 6G? (feat. Dean Bubley)
WRC-23 Special – What were the key transport-related decisions?
Prof. William Webb on his new book "Emperor Ofcom’s New Clothes"
WRC-23 Special - How will the ITU deal with the growth of the satellite industry?
WRC-23 Special - What are the most contentious IMT issues?
Is the 7-24 GHz range the new spectrum battlefield?
LiFi – is the industry ready to see the light?
Can WiFi and mobile share the 6 GHz band? (feat. Ofcom)
101: How do international spectrum agreements work? (feat. NTRA)
How can spectrum policy address the climate crisis?
Satellite direct-to-device - What is it and what implications does it have for spectrum policymakers?
Wholesale Mobile Networks - A dying model?
Spectrum Policy 101 Episode 4: Do 5G and 6G change spectrum policy?
Spectrum Policy 101 Episode 2: Key events which shaped spectrum policy
Spectrum Policy 101 Episode 1: What is Spectrum Management?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
WSJ Tech News Briefing
Rebel Tech
CyberWire Daily
Cyber Security Headlines
The WAN Show