Wireless Future Project

Archives: Wireless Future Project Policy Papers

Introduction to Mesh Networking

  • By Open Technology Initiative
February 14, 2011

Hub & Spoke Wireless Networks vs. Mesh Wireless Networks

Programs:

Wireless Broadband and the Redlining of Rural America

  • By Dr. Gregory Rose
April 26, 2010

The lack of wired and wireless broadband coverage in much of rural America is a persistent problem that Internet service providers sometimes suggest is caused by actual or proposed federal regulation, such as the Federal Communication Commission’s Open Internet policy principles.

Programs:

Any Device and Any Application on Wireless Networks: A Technical Strategy for Evolution

  • By Andrew Afflerbach, CEO and Director of Engineering; and Matthew DeHaven, Principal Engineer, Columbia Telecommunications Corporation
January 13, 2010

This Report presents the results of an engineering evaluation of some of the issues raised by the Federal Communications Commission’s “Open Internet” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The Report suggests a strategy entailing a conservative process for evolving from the limitations of current locked and closed wireless device and application environments to a more open future as envisioned by the “any device” and “any application” portions of the Commission’s draft Open Internet rules. This Report proposes:

Programs:

Revitalizing the Public Airwaves

  • By
  • Sascha Meinrath,
  • Victor Pickard,
  • New America Foundation
November 23, 2009

While many policy analysts have focused on the fate of the 700 MHz auctions, the digital TV transition, and the promise of white space devices, a more vast and underutilized resource has gone largely unnoticed: government spectrum. The best available data suggests that the majority of federal spectrum capacity is left unused. Strategic reuse of this spectrum could help obviate the need for significant additional reallocation while enabling a wide range of creative new uses and social benefits.

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New Media, Technology and Internet Use in Indian Country

  • By Traci Morris, Policy and Program Analyst, Native Public Media
November 19, 2009

As digital communications and the Internet become increasingly pervasive, Native Americans continue to lack access to this digital revolution. Native Americans are among the last citizens to gain access to the Internet, with access to broadband often unavailable or overly expensive in Native communities. Beyond that challenge, there is a fundamental lack of qualitative or quantitative empirical research on Native American Internet use, adoption, and access, stifling the Native voice in broadband and media policy.

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The Hidden Harms of Application Bias

  • By
  • Robb Topolski,
  • New America Foundation
  • and Chris Riley, Policy Counsel, Free Press
November 9, 2009

Application bias, the practice by network operators of placing applications into tiers of low and high priority and enforcing this prioritization through mechanisms in the middle of the network, poses hidden harms for the Internet that substantially outweigh its uncertain benefits. Application bias degrades low priority applications, decreases overall network performance, and locks the Internet into typical usage patterns of 2009, frustrating both consumer choice and Internet innovation.

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PISC Comment on Fostering Innovation and Investment in Wireless Communications Market

  • By
  • Michael Calabrese,
  • Benjamin Lennett,
  • Chiehyu Li,
  • New America Foundation
November 5, 2009

On behalf of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition, we are pleased to submit these reply comments regarding the Commission’s Notice of Inquiry on Fostering Innovation and Investment in the Wireless Communications Market. As the Commission noted, the market for wireless broadband services has been evolving at an extraordinarily rapid pace and is delivering new and empowering technologies to American consumers. Most recently, this is reflected in an exploding consumer demand for mobile data with the increasing use and availability of smartphones and aircard modems.

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Getting Connected

  • By
  • Benjamin Lennett,
  • Dan Meredith,
  • James Losey,
  • New America Foundation
  • and Joshua Breitbart
October 29, 2009

The current national discussion to expand access and use of broadband occurring in Washington has created an ideal time for foundations to become engaged in the issue. The current economic recession, combined with an unprecedented effort by government to directly invest in the deployment and adoption of broadband, provides an enormous opportunity for community foundations to help support beneficial projects and initiatives in communities across the country.

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Mobile Data Demand and the Need for Increased Spectrum Access

  • By
  • Benjamin Lennett,
  • Michael Calabrese,
  • New America Foundation
October 21, 2009

There is no doubt that consumer demand for mobile data applications is exploding worldwide. As Smartphones with PC capabilities and broadband aircards gain access to faster 4G networks beginning next year, total wireless data consumption will increase geometrically. Cisco’s annual projection of global Internet traffic predicts a 129% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for mobile data over the next five years in North America (through 2013).

Meeting consumer demand for mobile data will require some combination of four strategies:

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Comments of the New America Foundation - NBP Public Notice #1

  • By
  • Benjamin Lennett,
  • Chiehyu Li,
  • James Losey,
  • Robb Topolski,
  • New America Foundation
September 1, 2009

Determining an appropriate definition of broadband is a critical part of the Commission's development of a National Broadband Plan. An appropriate definition is essential not only for establishing "what is broadband" and "where is it available," but also for shaping the future trajectory of telecommunications innovation in the United States. The Open Technology Initiative of the New America Foundation makes the following recommendations for the Commission to consider in defining broadband:

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