Sergio Amadeu da Silveira - Cidadania e Redes Digitais

eng
c i t i z e n s h i p a n d d i g i t a l n e t w o r k s
ing Committee (CGI, 2009) offer clues to plan those urban infrastructures, such
as the assurance of freedom, privacy and human rights; the existence of democratic
and collaborative governance processes; universal access; the respect of diversity; the
promotion of innovation; net neutrality 3 ; non-imputability of the network 4 ; functionality,
security and stability; the use of interoperable standards; and a legal and
regulatory environment that ensures dynamic and collaborative processes.
Another relevant issue for the city, concerning the citizens’ conditions for connection,
is the management of the electromagnetic spectrum where wireless Internet
signals could be distributed. This spectrum is said to be scarce and limited, but it can
now be used in a much more intelligent way thanks to digital technologies. Besides
the fact that recent technological advances have increased the available space, given
the possibility of compression of digitally transmitted data, several smart devices
can also guarantee the use of common frequencies while preventing signals from
interfering between each other (SILVEIRA, 2009). Before this scenario, how should
local governments participate in the use of these resources?
As the management of the spectrum is done on a national scale, specifically by
Anatel (Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency), and is based on an extremely
restrictive legislation, the possibilities for municipalities and communities to propose
creative solutions on this topic are extremely limited (JOSGRILBERG, 2009).
In short, municipalities can either resort to a public or a private enterprise in a market
regimen, or they can make use of a license that restricts the allowed actions to online
services associated to the city administration — with a very doubtful definition of
services which, ultimately, inhibits in a decisive way the actions of local governments.
Therefore, besides looking at the current possibilities for using the spectrum, local
governments should strive for greater autonomy in managing this resource. As an
example, couldn’t the municipality or a community organization make a better use
of the spectrum at the regions where it is underutilized? This would be the case for
a region that offers no commercial interest to telecommunications companies oper-
3. “Traffic filtering or traffic privileges must meet only technical and ethical criteria; no political,
commercial, religious or cultural reasons, or any other form of discrimination or favoritism, should be
admitted” (CGI, 2009).
4. “Combat to illicit acts on the network must reach the final responsible subjects and not the means
of access and transport, always preserving the highest principles of defense of liberty, privacy and respect
for human rights” (CGI, 2009).
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