Radio spectrum management: from government to governance: Analysis of the role of government in the management of radio spectrum

This PhD thesis deals with the role of government in radio spectrum management. While current literature suggests that avoiding harmful interference and realizing economic efcient use of the radio spectrum are the prime drivers, the study revealed that realizing and safeguarding public interests have played a crucial role, including the realization of specifc industrial policy objectives. A revision of the radio spectrum governance process is proposed, based on the insights obtained and building on the institutional analysis and design framework of Ostrom et al., combined with competitive market theory. Essentially proposing the next (and likely fnal) step in the liberalization process. The proposed revision redefnes radio spectrum management from a top-down government controlled process to a botom-up governance process in a
multi-actor seting. The role of government shifs from a controller of the process to a role of market design, monitoring and facilitation.