Open Access – A Wireless Revolution

(Note: this has NOTHING to do with open Wifi access points)

Open Access Wireless is a model for use of the public airwaves allows any person to connect any device to the network via any provider they choose.

A wholesaler builds the infrastructure (towers, radios etc.). An Access Provider then buys wholesale access and to the network and sells it to End Users. End Users buy any device they want and signup with their choice of Access Provider to gain access to the network.

Your probably thinking, “whats so revolutionary about that?”

Today’s wireless is exactly the opposite business model. You buy your (crippled) device from the same provider who built the infrastructure and who sells you (crippled) access to content.

There is little competition and predictably, prices remain high and selection is limited.

An analogy can be made with roads vs. rails.

Open Access is like our existing road system. An infrastructure provider (the government in most cases) builds the network (roads). Users are then free to purchase their access device (their vehicle) from any one of a multitude of dealerships at which point they can access whatever they want on the road network (within certain limitations).

In the rail system, a single provider maintains complete control over the entire network. Access is only granted by following a strict set of rules and using only the vehicle they dictate (trains). Entering or exiting the network can only be done at prescribed locations and of course you have to pay their rates. Competition? There is competing rail network but it isn’t connected to this one and the limitations and prices are pretty much the same. (sounds a lot like the cell phone system doesn’t it?)

The public airwaves are supposed to belong to the public and be operated for the public good.

In Canada, the valuable spectrum (700Mhz range) that makes this possible is due to be vacated by television broadcasters by 2012 and decisions on what to do with it will be made long before then.

So far Industry Canada is showing little interest in this topic and unless it gets some public attention, Industry Canada will continue with more of the same and auction off the spectrum to one of the existing providers.

Wouldn’t be great if the public could take back the airwaves?

Recently it has been noted that Canada’s lack of competition in wireless is already inhibiting competition. When Canadian companies have to pay cell phone bills that are significantly more expensive than their US and European competitors, that hurts our ability to compete.

It’s time for a new wireless model.

Here is a site that lays out the details and rational a lot better than I can:
http://www.publicknowledge.org/issues/spectrum-reform