The University of Strathclyde inaugurated its Centre for White Space Communications (CWSC) on January 22, 2012 (CWSC, 2013). The keynote speaker was the UK Minister, Ed Vaizey MP, from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), who both congratulated the University and made the case for industry/university cooperation in innovative technologies, talking of the “porous university”, evidently in contrast to the isolation of the ivory tower. Aside from white space, he joked that he was responsible for the UK’s AAA credit rating, since it depended on the successful outcome of the 4G spectrum auction, begun that day by OFCOM, with the funds needed by HM Treasury. The minister encouraged OFCOM, though noting its independence, to press forward with the regulations necessary for white space and announced the formation of a UK Dynamic Spectrum Access Group (DTG, 2013). A couple of days later, a ministerial colleague announced £24 million for Glasgow to become the UK’s first smart city again involving Strathclyde University (BIS, 2013).
Ewan Sutherland, Research Associate, LINK Centre
- Intermedia Issue:
- Vol 41, Issue 1
- Issue Date:
- February 2013
- Region:
- Americas
