New spectrum policy book features PolicyTracker analysts

PolicyTracker is delighted to announce the publication of a new collection of essays featuring several of our staff and many well-known names in the spectrum policy world.

The Debates Shaping Spectrum Policy is published by the Taylor and Francis Group and is available in hardback or as an ebook.

From academia, the authors include academics Professors Martin Cave, Gérard Pogorel and Jason Whalley as well as Dr Marja Matinmikko-Blue from the University of Oulu in Finland. There are also chapters from industry experts such as Simon Forge, Richard Womersley, Mohamed A. El-Moghazi, Nicky Preston and Professor William Webb, and from the world of corporate communications, Dr Mary Longhurst. PolicyTracker contributors include Manuel Marti, Toby Youell and Martin Sims.

The book takes a wide-ranging view of the challenges facing spectrum policy, starting with the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of spectrum auctions now that ubiquitous high-speed connectivity has become such an important policy goal. It also gives a new perspective on a perennial question—what can regulators do to promote innovation?

From a global policy perspective, it covers the case for amending ITUThe International Telecommunication U... procedures, the bedrock of international spectrum policy; the best approach to the demand forecasting on which so many ITU decisions are based; and the geopolitics which forms the backdrop to these discussions.

The essays look ahead to 6G’s role in achieving the UN sustainable development goalsThe 17 United Nations Sustainable Developm... as well as spectrum policy’s possible role in tackling climate change. They also highlight another upcoming issue: the impending challenges for spectrum enforcement caused by the increasing use of artificial intelligence in spectrum management.

The 5G and Covid-19 conspiracy theories prompt a re-examination of how the mobile industry should communicate its health messages. Drawing on lessons from research into corporate communications, one essay explains why the conspiracy theories have been so successful, and another examines the success of an innovative industry campaign in New Zealand.

In a field beset with highly technical issues which can be confusing for the general public, the book concludes with an examination of the importance of framing in discussions of spectrum policy, taking the example of the “tragedy of the commons”.

The full list of contents is below and a launch event for the book is being held on Thursday 19 May.•

The Debates Shaping Spectrum Policy
Table of Contents

1. The past, present and future of spectrum auctions
By Martin Cave, LSE

2. Spectrum management: from the advent of auctions to post-pandemic policy imperatives
By Gérard Pogorel, Telecom Paris Tech

3. Towards a Future-Proof International Spectrum Policy?
By Mohamed A. El-Moghazi (NTRA, Egypt) and Jason Whalley (Northumbria University)

4. Innovation and Spectrum Management: An Oxymoron?
By William Webb, Webb Search

5. How should we use demand forecasting in spectrum policy?
By Richard Womersley, LS Telcom

6. The realpolitik of spectrum in the global economy
By Simon Forge, SCF Associates

7. A new stakeholder paradigm to link 6G with sustainable development goals and spectrum management
By Marja Matinmikko-Blue, University of Oulu

8. How can spectrum policy address climate change?
By Manuel R. Marti, formerly PolicyTracker, now UK Spectrum Policy Forum

9. Artificial Intelligence in radio spectrum management: the impending enforcement problem
By Toby Youell, PolicyTracker

10. Why campaigns against 5G have been so successful and what can be done to improve industry messaging
By Mary Longhurst (Epoch Strategic Communications) and Martin Sims (PolicyTracker)

11. 5G and Covid-19 conspiracy theories; how Vodafone New Zealand responded to cell tower arson attacks by using humour to beat rumour online
By Nicky Preston, Vodafone New Zealand

12. The tragedy of the “tragedy of the commons” metaphor
By Martin Sims, PolicyTracker