Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: At the current critical juncture in media, technology, and politics, communication infrastructure is becoming politicized. This paper describes the emergence of discourses and practices of “policy hacking” at locations where geeks and hackers encounter media reform advocates. In particular, it draws from participant observation at Community Wireless Networking Summits and Media Reform Conferences – network forums where actors with different types of technical and political expertise created a common language and practice that politicized WiFi and internet technologies. In turn, ideas about “policy hacking” contributed to the politicization of Net Neutrality that focus on the desirability of an open internet – despite the practical constraints limiting this vision. Finally, the paper concludes with a reflection on the limitations of “policy hacking” as a way of framing political interventions. At the intersection of media and politics, communication and technology, this paper presents a critical assessment of new keywords for understanding a techno-political society.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper compares the results from a six-month survey of the use of WiFi hotspots in New York, Budapest and Montreal. This paper makes the following arguments based on the survey data: first, WiFi is an important factor in attracting people to specific locations; second, the use of WiFi highly localized in that it is often used to search for information relevant to one’s geographic location; third, there are significant differences in the way that WiFi is used across a variety of locations including cafes, parks and other public spaces; fourth, at present, WiFi users are, for the most part, young, male and highly educated displaying the characteristics of early adopters of technology; and, fifth, there is a convergence in the ways in which WiFi is used internationally in some respects, however there are also important differences in the reasons for these uses as well divergence in other respects.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Many studies have reported on the successful deployment of WiFi networks in developing countries, due to their stimulating effect on socioeconomic development. WiFi has become known as a particularly ‘promising’ solution for providing rural access, as its relatively low cost investments allow local entrepreneurs to set up networks. However, in many developing countries, regulatory constraints have been found to impede market entry. In this study we analyze for three countries in Southern Africa how regulatory restrictions and licensing application procedures affect market entrance. While prior studies have frequently pointed at licensing as posing the major regulatory constraint, we find that actually transparency of regulation and information provision on licensing requirements provide the major challenge to market entrants.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper explores preliminary findings from a study of how municipal and community WiFi influences social interactions in public spaces and the overall structure of people’s social networks. Findings are based on survey and observational data collected from seven public parks, plazas, and markets. This project assesses whether WiFi provides social benefits within public spaces, such as building community or social interaction. Findings offer insight into the users of WiFi networks as well as design considerations for WiFi enabled public spaces.