Managing the possible health risks of mobile telecommunications: Public understandings of precautionary action and advice

It has been suggested that precautionary approaches to managing possible health risks mobile telecommunications (MT) technology may cause or exacerbate public concerns. In contrast, precautionary approaches to managing such risks in the UK have been framed as a way of reducing public concerns. This article presents evidence from a series of focus groups about publics’ understandings of the actions taken and advice given about potential MT health risks by the UK government. Eight focus groups were conducted with members of the public that varied in their age, their awareness and concern about mast siting, and the self-reported level of mobile phone use. From the analyses a complex picture emerged in which publics’ understandings were not primarily framed in terms of precautionary action and advice either provoking concern or providing reassurance. People made sense of precaution by drawing upon a range of evidence from their understandings of costs and benefits of the technology, as well as the institutional context in which MT health risks were managed. For some of those involved in protesting against mast siting, precaution was seen as confirming existing concern. Further systematic exploration of the contexts within which different responses to precaution emerge is thus likely to be instructive.Mobile Telecommunications Health Research Programme

Campus Telecommunications Systems: Managing Change

The purpose of this book is to provide a broadbased understanding of the rapidly changing environment of campus telecommunications. The anticipated audience for this material is the non-technical university administrator who may not have direct responsibility for telecommunications, but has a need to understand the general environment in which his telecommunications manager functions and the basic concepts of the technology. Five topic areas were selected that best cover the preponderance of issues. No attempt has been made to associate or closely coordinate materials from one chapter\u27s subject to that of any other. Each chapter generally stands alone. In total, however, the five chapters address the topics and issues that most often generate inquiries from university administrators outside the telecommunications department. Introduction 1 The Changing Telecommunications Environment 2 Telecommunications Technology and the Campus 3 Student Services 4 Financing a New Telecommunications System . 5 Selecting a Consultant Glossary Inde

The Role of the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) in GNSS Protection and Regulation

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for regulating telecommunications and radiocommunications in Australia, including promoting industry self-regulation and managing the radiofrequency spectrum. ACMA also has significant consumer protection responsibilities. ACMA was established in July 2005 under the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, and exercises powers under the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, the Radiocommunications Act 1992, the Spam Act 2003, and other related legislation

Managing innovations in telecommunications industry in Nigeria

Of all the challenges faced by managers today, the management of technological innovation (MTI) is one of the most demanding. Get it right and firms create value and profit. Get it wrong and firms can face serious and perhaps terminal problems, losing money, workers, and reputation. This will lead to revenue loss, company closures and increased unemployment. The objective of this study was to assess the level of innovation in Nigeria's telecommunications industry. The aim was to ascertain how innovative the operators in the industry are which in turn determines how competitive the industry is. Data was collected from available literature on the telecommunications industry. The study proved that there are innovative activities being carried out by the various operators but there is still a lot of room for improvement. The study also found out that government and regulatory authorities need to do more in the area of infrastructural development and policy formulation to ensure a level playing field for both the old and new entrants. The study recommended that all stakeholders in the telecommunications industry, especially the regulator, shareholders, sponsors/directors, top management, and the government, should ensure that there is an innovation strategy in place which should be managed to ensure a high level of productivity and competition amongst the various operators. The study concluded that most of the service providers do not have designed corporate innovation strategies or processes. Furthermore, there are no agents of innovation and innovation teams across the various organizations; champions who will assist the project manager with the implementation and tracking of ideas, innovations and changes. Therefore, there is the need by the various service providers to breakdown functional barriers in their various organizations. However, it is equally important for these organizations to minimize the impact of hierarchies so that a seamless flow of ideas is made possible

How impact fees and local planning regulation can influence deployment of telecoms infrastructure

This paper examines how local government planning regulations and charges affect the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure. We explore the economic rationale for local government regulation of such infrastructure, which we suggest should be based on managing negative externalities. Using data from Ireland, we find that the observed geographical pattern of impact fees is inconsistent with the economic rationale for them. A simple econometric model of the number of telecoms masts in each country also suggests that the level of impact fees is negatively associated with mast deployment. This paper also examines other regulatory factors that affect the provision of new infrastructure. We find wide regional variation in these regulations but are unableto quantify their impact on infrastructure provision. Such regulatory complexity places extra compliance burdens on private operators, which may in turn distort the level and regional pattern of network investment. We suggest further regional harmonisation of development policy towards telecoms infrastructure to avoid exacerbating regional disparities in rollout of services. --Land use regulation,telecommunications infrastructure investment,impact fees

Has Portugal gone wireless? Looking back, Looking ahead

This paper analyses the pattern and rate of adoption of mobile telephones by the Portuguese population. It is shown that the pattern of diffusion is S-shaped and is consistent with a logistic function, which describes a symmetrical growth process. Furthermore, it is found that 67 percent of the population will likely adopt mobile phones, and that the levelling-off process in the diffusion of mobile phones has already begun. The analysis is intended to inform the larger discussion of managing the communications service, as well as to assist analysts concerned about assessing the impact of public policies in the evolution of communications sectors.technology diffusion, mobile telecommunications

Managing innovations in telecommunications industry in Nigeria

Of all the challenges faced by managers today, the management of technological innovation (MTI) is one of the most demanding. Get it right and firms create value and profit. Get it wrong and firms can face serious and perhaps terminal problems, losing money, workers, and reputation. This will lead to revenue loss, company closures and increased unemployment. The objective of this study was to assess the level of innovation in Nigeria's telecommunications industry. The aim was to ascertain how innovative the operators in the industry are which in turn determines how competitive the industry is. Data was collected from available literature on the telecommunications industry. The study proved that there are innovative activities being carried out by the various operators but there is still a lot of room for improvement. The study also found out that government and regulatory authorities need to do more in the area of infrastructural development and policy formulation to ensure a level playing field for both the old and new entrants. The study recommended that all stakeholders in the telecommunications industry, especially the regulator, shareholders, sponsors/directors, top management, and the government, should ensure that there is an innovation strategy in place which should be managed to ensure a high level of productivity and competition amongst the various operators. The study concluded that most of the service providers do not have designed corporate innovation strategies or processes. Furthermore, there are no agents of innovation and innovation teams across the various organizations; champions who will assist the project manager with the implementation and tracking of ideas, innovations and changes. Therefore, there is the need by the various service providers to breakdown functional barriers in their various organizations. However, it is equally important for these organizations to minimize the impact of hierarchies so that a seamless flow of ideas is made possible

Section 253 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996: A Permanent Physical Appropriation of Private Property that Must Be Justly Compensated

Section 253 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was promulgated in an effort to remove unnecessary regulation by local governments and open up competition among local phone companies, cable providers, and other telecommunications concerns. However, this provision effectively prohibits local governments from managing their rights-of-way. Furthermore, it violates modern Fifth Amendment takings jurisprudence, Section 253 and the first three FCC and court decisions examining it not only have jeopardized effective municipal management and resource allocation discretion, but also have usurped local governments\u27 property rights without just compensation in explicit violation of the United States Constitution

Managing ubiquitous eco cities: the role of urban telecommunication infrastructure networks and convergence technologies

A successful urban management system for a Ubiquitous Eco City requires an integrated approach. This integration includes bringing together economic, socio-cultural and urban development with a well orchestrated, transparent and open decision making mechanism and necessary infrastructure and technologies. Rapidly developing information and telecommunication technologies and their platforms in the late 20th Century improves urban management and enhances the quality of life and place. Telecommunication technologies provide an important base for monitoring and managing activities over wired, wireless or fibre-optic networks. Particularly technology convergence creates new ways in which the information and telecommunication technologies are used. The 21st Century is an era where information has converged, in which people are able to access a variety of services, including internet and location based services, through multi-functional devices such as mobile phones and provides opportunities in the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities. This paper discusses the recent developments in telecommunication networks and trends in convergence technologies and their implications on the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities and how this technological shift is likely to be beneficial in improving the quality of life and place. The paper also introduces recent approaches on urban management systems, such as intelligent urban management systems, that are suitable for Ubiquitous Eco Cities