Unlicensed Spectrum / WiFi     " African countries, almost alone in the world, typically require licenses for frequencies that are set aside for unlicensed use in other countries (example: 2.4ghz range)" " Purpose of spectrum licensing: (1) maximize efficient use of frequency; (2) prevent interference " African countries UNDER-utilize radio frequency " Standards like 802.11b 802.16 to 20 (WiFi) are designed to avoid interference, and operate at low power " Licensing these frequencies is a very bad approach " Inhibits the single cheapest tool for bridging the digital divide, achieving universal access, etc. " Wireless access should be encouraged as much as possible Wireless LANs: legal or not? " Often unclear; ambiguity creates opportunities for corruption. " Recommendation: African countries should adopt a super-set of unlicensed frequencies from US, Europe, Japan " Assure access to the best & cheapest hardware