Article: Active policy measures against the digital divide based on mobile/wireless connectivity development: the Latvian experience Journal: International Journal of Mobile Communications (IJMC) 2006 Vol.4 No.6 pp.727 - 742 Abstract: The role of wireless technologies as among the main pillars of broadband connectivity extension is starting to be widely accepted. In this way, wireless technologies open up new possibilities for reducing the digital divide between regions. This article studies the challenges for policymakers that must design the appropriate policies to achieve that goal. More specifically, the paper examines the role of wireless technologies in the development of broadband in Europe and presents a progress model for broadband. The second part of the article analyses, as a case study, the wireless communications market of Latvia, a country that entered the European Union in May 2004, and where, given its conditions, mobile technologies should be considered as essential tools for the increase in broadband accesses, and more generally, for the development of the Information Society. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Active policy measures against the digital divide based on mobile/wireless connectivity development: the Latvian experience

Authors: Claudio Feijoo, Jose Luis Gomez-Barroso, Sergio Ramos, David Rojo-Alonso

Addresses: Grupo de Tecnologias de la Informacion y las Comunicaciones (GTIC), Dpto. SSR. E.T.S.I. Telecomunicacion, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n. 28040 Madrid, Spain. ' Dpto. Economia Aplicada e H^a Economica, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (UNED), P^o Senda del Rey, 11. 28040 Madrid, Spain. ' Grupo de Tecnologias de la Informacion y las Comunicaciones (GTIC), Dpto. SSR. E.T.S.I. Telecomunicacion, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n. 28040 Madrid, Spain. ' Grupo de Tecnologias de la Informacion y las Comunicaciones (GTIC), Dpto. SSR. E.T.S.I. Telecomunicacion, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n. 28040 Madrid, Spain

Abstract: The role of wireless technologies as among the main pillars of broadband connectivity extension is starting to be widely accepted. In this way, wireless technologies open up new possibilities for reducing the digital divide between regions. This article studies the challenges for policymakers that must design the appropriate policies to achieve that goal. More specifically, the paper examines the role of wireless technologies in the development of broadband in Europe and presents a progress model for broadband. The second part of the article analyses, as a case study, the wireless communications market of Latvia, a country that entered the European Union in May 2004, and where, given its conditions, mobile technologies should be considered as essential tools for the increase in broadband accesses, and more generally, for the development of the Information Society.

Keywords: mobile communications; wireless broadband; Latvia; Information Society policies; broadband development; regulatory models; digital divide; wireless connectivity; mobile technologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2006.010364

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2006 Vol.4 No.6, pp.727 - 742

Published online: 17 Jul 2006 *

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Title: Active policy measures against the digital divide based on mobile/wireless connectivity development: the Latvian experience

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