[Air-L] Further call for papers on broadband development

[Matthew Allen]

http://www.uq.edu.au/mia/calls-for-papers
*Broadband Futures: Content, Connectivity and Control*
*A special issue of Media International Australia*
*Theme Editors: Matthew Allen, Catherine Middleton, Sora Park and Peter
Thompson*
*(deadline for short abstract 21 November)*



Australia and New Zealand are deploying very fast national broadband
infrastructure, utilising a more centralised, government-driven approach
than previously. Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) and New
Zealand’s Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative (UFB), combined with the Rural
Broadband Initiative, are major infrastructure projects that promise to
revolutionise underlying telecommunications infrastructure while reshaping
the policy environment. Such developments are a response to the patchwork
quilt of multiple technologies, business models and regulatory settings
that, until recently, had only partially served internet development. They
will create a national future that is more competitive, more connected, and
more coherent in its application of high-speed computer-mediated
communications.

Both network initiatives have been promoted heavily by their respective
governments but also criticised by opposition political parties. Given the
timeframe of these network developments, ongoing activity will necessarily
be affected by changes to governments. However the fundamental rationale
and design of these ‘next generation’ networks is remaking the way the
internet is used, understood and interacts with other telecommunications
and entertainment media. At the same time, these new networks will need to
developed and adapted, or be relevant now but not in the future.

This issue of MIA will present research, analysis and critique of the
current state of very large network infrastructure development relevant to
Australia and New Zealand, including comparative examples from other
nations. We invite submissions from researchers, industry
analysts and participants, and government regulators and policy-makers, to
create a conversation about the future of broadband. We particularly seek
articles that explore the relationships between content (what is done via
such networks), the control that is exerted over content, and the processes
of connectivity that are the potential outcome of such developments. Our
goal is to present various perspectives on the intersection of these three
domains (what users want and do; how access is provided and sold; and the
work of corporations and governments managing the intersection of these
two), and thus better understand how broadband development might achieve
the national economic and social advantages claimed for it.


Submissions will be assessed for their scholarly merit and the extent to
which they contribute to our greater understanding of the consequences and
purposes of broadband development, especially in Australia and New Zealand.
Contributors should limit their articles to between 3500 and 4000 words
(including references).
*Abstracts (250 words) are due by 21 NOVEMBER 2013.*
*Full articles (**5000 words maximum) **will need to be submitted by 7
FEBRUARY 2014.*

-- 
Professor Matthew Allen, internet critic, researcher and educator
http://netcrit.net; @netcrit; life member AoIR <http://aoir.org>