The Dynamics Of Spectrum Management : Legacy, Technology, and Economics (Hardbound-2014)

Evolving technologies such as social networking, peer-to-peer sharing, 4G and 5G networks, cloud computing, and big data play a crucial role in expanding the horizon of communication services beyond simple voice, to complex data and video. Radio frequency spectrum has emerged as one of the most contested public goods in recent years. With acute demand and restricted supply, spectrum management and the competitive allocation of related property rights are now much-contested and important areas of debate.Even as spectrum management regimes are moving from command and control to flexible use, new technological developments are suggesting that there are significant opportunities in managing large swathes of spectrum as a common property resource, in addition to flexible use. However, political legacies and market realities in different regimes pose unique challenges for spectrum managers who must negotiate a tricky path to the land promised by technological possibility.With case studies from early adopters of mobile technology and an in-depth exploration of the Indian case, The Dynamics of Spectrum Management presents a pragmatic and modern approach for transitioning to new frameworks.List of Figures and Tables Preface AcknowledgementsHistory and Technology of Spectrum What are Radio Waves? The Birth of Radio The Problem of Interference Spectrum Allocation Process: International and National Early Days of Wireless Mobile Systems 2G Mobile Systems Third Generation Mobile Technologies Fourth Generation Wireless Networks and beyond Wi-Fi and the Spectrum of Commons Future of Wireless Technologies Conclusion Annexure A1 References The Economic Classification of Spectrum and the Commons Debate The Economic Classification of Goods The Economic Classification of Spectrum The Tragedy of the Commons Resolving the Tragedy of the Commons Capacity-enhancing Technological Progress Community Solutions The Debate over the Spectrum Commons A Middle View Conclusion ReferencesConceptual Issues in the Allocation and Assignment of Spectrum Introduction Determining Spectrum Use Choosing Standards Number of Blocks Setting the Spectrum Price Conclusion ReferencesAuctions Introduction Auction Formats A Brief History of Spectrum Auctions Modelling Auctions Findings from Auction Theory Simultaneous Ascending Auctions Package Auctions Conclusion References Economic Models for Valuing Spectrum Introduction Estimating the Value of Spectrum Using the Cash Flow Method Estimating the Value of Spectrum Using the Production Function Method Conclusion References Spectrum Transitions: Moving from Command and Control to Flexible Use Introduction Command and Control versus Flexible Use Rationalization of Government Spectrum New Licensing Framework Creating Secondary Markets Flexible Use Smaller and More Frequent Auctions Universal Service Obligation Conclusion References Pathways to the Spectrum Commons Introduction History Spectrum Sharing Frameworks Wi-Fi Spectrum Sharing Dynamic Opportunistic Spectrum Access Case Studies of Unlicensed Use Conclusion References Net Neutrality Overview Congestion in Networks The Market Power of the ECP Vertical Integration in the ICT Industry Net Neutrality in Practice Implications for Spectrum Regulation Conclusions References Mobile Partnerships and Alliances Introduction Command and Control Flexible Spectrum Management Commons Partnerships across the Telecom Value Chain Conclusion References Hyper Competition and Excessive Spectrum Fragmentation: Case of India Introduction The First Stage: 1995–2003 Unified Access Service Licence and Administrative Pricing of Spectrum: 2003–8 Rush to Acquire Mobile Licence and Spectrum Post 2007 Liberalization of Spectrum 2008 Onwards The Possibilities of Cognitive Radio Spectrum for Research and Development Spectrum for Development Conclusion References Spectrum for Broadcasting Services Introduction Radio Broadcasting Television Broadcasting Future Directions Conclusions References The Way Forward Legacies Technologies Economics Conclusion References Glossary ibliography Index About the Authors Key Features The only book that explains the technology, economics and regulation of spectrum management. Simple and non-technical approach to the topic. Provides case studies from early adopters of mobile technology and an in-depth exploration of the Indian case. Presents a pragmatic and modern approach for spectrum managers to get from where they are to where they can be.

Rohit Prasad is Associate Professor of Economics at Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, India. V. Sridhar is Professor, Centre for IT and Public Policy, International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore, India.