Spectrum for beginners

Kip Meek has authored a short paper on radio frequency spectrum. Download the paper here.

Submission to the UK Online Harms White Paper consultation

The Online Harms White Paper is a wide-ranging, ambitious and systematic response to growing anxiety about online platforms’ handling of harmful and illegal content. However, commentators have raised a number of concerns about the Government’s proposals, highlighting potential unintended consequences and risks that may undermine the effectiveness of the proposed regulatory regime.

The complex challenges posed by online content regulation require a regulatory scalpel rather than a sledgehammer. Given the political sensitivities and implications for rights of regulation in this space, we suggest further work is needed to describe and consult on the regulatory regime before moving to legislation. The goal should be a framework that incentivises agile, balanced, accountable responses by companies to the particular problems each faces. Prescriptive, one-size-fits-all rules would make this harder rather than easier.

Our submission considers how such a framework may be developed to promote proportionate, effective regulation.

Superfast - Is it really worth a subsidy?

This paper by Robert Kenny and his brother Charles considers whether subsidies for superfast broadband (typically based on fibre-to-the-home) are justified. It takes a close look at the social and economic arguments for subsidies, and finds that they do not stand up to scrutiny.

The paper has attracted considerable attention, particularly in Australia, where the government is investing over A$50bn in rolling out fibre-to-the-home. It was cited in the House of Representatives and presented to MPs. Some of the reaction was favourable, some was not (a reply to the latter is here, on page 6).

An academic version of the paper was published in the journal info (Vol. 13 Iss: 4, pp.3 - 29). info were kind enough to name it their Paper of the Year.

In addition to the long-form report, there is also a shorter version.

Supporting fibre rollout in Ireland

In this report for eir, Brian Williamson sets out the competition and investment case for continued pricing flexibility for fibre to the cabinet. More proportionate options than the comprehensive price controls proposed by ComReg are also suggested, should greater restraint on pricing be judged appropriate.

Sustainable journalism - a submission to the Cairncross Review

The Cairncross Review is examining the sustainability of high quality journalism, including an investigation of the impact of digital platforms.

Rob Kenny and Robin Foster, in their submission to the Review, argue that the challenges facing newspapers have been developing over decades, and largely pre-date the advent of the platforms. In particular, newspapers' offers to both advertisers and readers have been unbundled, with multiple fierce competitors for each element of the former bundles.

Newspapers have been investing and experimenting with a range of business models in response, and there are early signs of success, at least for certain types of outlet. However, a significant shake-out seems likely for those offering more commoditised news.

A clear public interest in journalism remains, and Rob and Robin offer some suggestions as to how this might be supported.