Problem
Commercialization of the airwaves
Other Names:
Privatization of the radio spectrumPublic auction of the radio frequencies
Incidence:
The USA, like almost all countries, licenses parts of the radio spectrum for domestic use, and it reserved chunks for television, satellites, cellular telephones, digital radio and the like. Since the 1950s, broadcasters have been able to trade licences, thus establishing that licences are valuable property. The Commerce Department had blocked the release of 200 megahertz of bandwidth, estimated to be worth $10 billion in 1991. It was planning to either give away rights to bandwidths, by assignment on the basis of deservingness or lottery, or to auction licences to the highest bidder.
Broader Problems:
Proliferation of commercialismPrivatization of public servicesPrivatization of public patrimonyInadequate structures for communicationInadequate structures for communication Related Problems:
Unethical media practicesDefective land use planningDisappearance of common landBoundary constraints on land planningPlanning conflicts between political and industrial sectors Aggravates:
Satellite transmission monopoly Values:
CommercializationPrivatization Subject(s):
Commerce → Commerce ??Commerce → Property??
Commerce → Purchasing, supplying??
Fundamental Sciences → Light??
Fundamental Sciences → Radiation??
Government → Public??
Transportation, Telecommunications → Radio??
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
06.05.2019 – 17:48 CEST