Information Policy

Three Bulgarian telecoms acquire wireless network licenses

SOFIA, Bulgaria --  Bulgaria's BTC, Orbitel and Nexcom on Monday acquired 10-year licenses for point-to-multipoint wireless networks, the country's telecommunications regulator said.

The three companies won the tender for the three licenses with a bid of 6.2 million leva  about 3 million or US$3.8 million  each.

Bulgaria's largest mobile operator, Mobiltel, and GiTy-Bulgaria were the other bidders in the tender with a starting price of 672,000 leva  about 335,000 or US$415,000.

The point-to-multipoint telecommunication networks are used for transfer of voice and data, Internet access, fax, telex, video information and multimedia applications. The main advantage of such networks is that although wireless, they provide high quality connection comparable to a cable connection.

http://www.telecomdirectnews.com/do.php/100/15211?7649

The Economic Advantage of Wireless Infrastructure for Development

This paper explores wireless Internet infrastructure and associated costs in health, education, government, and commercial applications. It analyzes the cost-effectiveness of wireless provision of access and services in underserved (especially rural) areas, examining applications around the world. Current private sector activity in Latin America and the Caribbean is presented along with government and international development organizations efforts to promote wireless technologies in development projects. Attention is given to the policy barriers preventing the private sector from developing these technologies in the context of underserved markets, the role of government in providing universal service, and issues of spectrum allocation. Finally, recommendations are proposed for the IDB s future involvement in the area of wireless applications for development and wireless technology policy.

http://www.iadb.org/sds/doc/sdsicteconomic%5fadvantage%5fof%5fwireless%5finfrastructure%5ffor%5fdevelopment.pdf

E-Governance Comes Of Age In The Commonwealth

This paper explores the current theory regarding e-government and best practices in Government for the usage and implementation of information and communication technologies in government and other organizations. It also explores the relevance and recent evolution of e-governance to organizations. The paper addresses the necessity for organizations to apply crucial principles to ensure good governance

http://www.rileyis.com/publications/research_papers/EGOVRiley.pdf

NGO in a Box - Security Edition

Prepared in cooperation with: Front Line and Tactical Technology Collective

This is the Security Edition of the NGO-in-a-Box (sBox) project. It's purpose is to provide a variety of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) for those organizations and individuals who help NGOs define and execute their technology, strategy and usage.

Whether you are a computer enthusiast or NOT - have no fear: this CD was made for you! In recent years, we have noticed how little understanding people have of the new digital environment they often work in. Tools are expensive, concepts are sometimes difficult to grasp and hard to come across. We end up hearing about digital security only when reading newspaper articles about some hacker or yet another massive spam attack. The aim of this project is to assist the non-profit sector by increasing its informational and technological capacity and capabilities.

http://security.ngoinabox.org/

Monitoring and evaluating information and communication for development (ICD) programmes

These gudelines were written for DFID staff in need of advice on the monitoring and evaluating Information and Communication for Development (ICD) programmes. The guidelines introduce a range of approaches useful at various stages of a development programme. The guidelines are aimed at programmes involving: face-to-face communication or information activities such as counselling or extension visits; community-level communications such as theatre, role-playing, workshops, posters and other print materials; TV, radio, film and video; Internet and email communications programmes; amd telecommunications-based projects.

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/icd-guidelines.pdf

Anti-Spyware Coalition Publish Guidelines On Risks

The Anti-Spyware Coalition has released the first draft of the consensus Risk Model Description. The document is open for public comment until November 27, 2005.

The anti-spyware industry offers a robust selection of tools to consumers in the marketplace. As is to be expected in such an environment, the rating systems used to classify Spyware and other Potentially Unwanted Technologies vary between Anti-Spyware vendors. The members of ASC believe that reputable anti-spyware companies should be transparent about their decisions to help users understand how anti-spyware tools make decisions; software publishers understand what may concern users; and Anti-Spyware vendors share information about emerging threats. To facilitate that transparency, the ASC has developed the Risk Model Description — a list of a broad set of behaviors that its members can use to help users make decisions.

http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/documents/riskmodel.htm

eMayor project explores interoperability between European municipalities

eMayor, a project that aims to provide a secure, interoperable and affordable e-government platform for small and medium-sized government organisations (SMGOs), is currently carrying out pilots in several European cities.

The development of e-government services in smaller municipalities is often hindered by lack of financial, political or legal support, as well as by lack of expertise or infrastructure to successfully address security and technical issues. Designed to deliver solutions in key areas such as tax revenues, licensing and issuance of certificates, and cross border services, the eMayor platform intends to help SMGOs overcome the barriers they face in implementing e-government.

The platform is based on open source tools and software as well as on XML and Web Services standards. It runs in Unix, Linux, Microsoft and Apple environments, and is prepared for dealing with new security solutions such as national or local digital identity cards or PKI-based software certificates.

http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/section_node/0%2C2332%2Csid%25253D28578%2C00.html

EU e-Government 2004: internet based interaction with European businesses and citizens

This Statistics in Focus on e-Government 2004 highlights Internet based interaction of the European businesses and citizens with governmental bodies (e-Government). It is an update of an edition that appeared earlier this year, notably with information from the new Member States. The figures presented are essentially taken from the latest survey, carried out in 2004.

http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-NP-05-035/EN/KS-NP-05-035-EN.PDF

Forgotten Principles of Internet Governance

Every person shall be free to use the Internet in any way that is privately beneficial without being publicly detrimental. The burden of demonstrating public detriment shall be on those who wish to prevent the private use. Such a demonstration shall require clear and convincing evidence of public detriment. The public detriment must be of such degree and extent as to justify the suppression of the private activity.

http://www.circleid.com/posts/forgotten_principles_of_internet_governance/

VeriSign strikes .com deal with ICANN

ICANN, the body responsible for the internet’s domain naming system, and domain registry VeriSign have agreed to end all litigation between them in a deal that will also allow VeriSign to keep control of the .com top-level domain until 2012.

http://www.out-law.com/page-6265