The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
Going Mobile: Technology and Policy Issues in the Mobile Internet
Richard Bennett
March 2, 2010

Richard Bennett produces a paper looking at the merging of the technologies of cellular phones and the Internet allowing the development of what is now commonly called the “Mobile Internet”.  Bennett points out that the Mobile Internet is still in its earliest stages of development.  To foster this development and ensure that the product becomes as rich in innovation as the broadband connections we receive on wired platforms he believes that engineers and policy makers must collaborate.  Bennett defines his paper by predicting that for this to happen, two things must come from policymakers:

1. “First, they need to refrain from strangling the Mobile Internet with excessive regulation, realizing that the well of innovation that brought us where we are has not run dry.”
2. “Second, policy makers need to ensure that the mobile Internet can develop the infrastructure it needs, the most important part of which is spectrum. Policymakers need to make tough choices, transferring spectrum from less compelling historical uses to the emerging Mobile Internet.”

To achieve these two objectives, Bennett has produced a 10 point policy recommendation plan:

1. Stick with Light-touch Regulation
2. Enact a Sensible Transparency Rule
3. Legitimize Enhanced Transport Services
4. Define Reasonable Network Management
5. Preserve Engineering and Operations Freedom
6. Review Existing Spectrum Licenses
7. Eliminate Redundant and Archaic Licenses
8. Protect Spectrum Subleasing
9. Cautiously Enable Secondary Uses
10. Allow the Experiment to Continue

You can find the full report and details of Bennett’s policy recommendations here.