Join us for a fascinating exploration of the collision between politics and technology across two centuries. Former CW Board Chairman Steve Unger will reveal how governments have responded to revolutionary communications networks, from the first visual telegraphs of the 18th century to today's digital infrastructure, and why these historical patterns remain strikingly relevant in our current age of AI and connectivity.
Drawing from his recently published book 'From Beacon Fires to Fibre Broadband: A History of Innovation, Enterprise and Regulation', Steve will trace how different nations chose radically different paths: France's state monopoly, Britain's failed experiment with network competition, and America's early digital sovereignty concerns when they forced Marconi to relinquish his US operations. As Mark Twain observed, "History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme." And these echoes offer crucial insights for navigating today's technology policy debates.
This event is hosted by The Bradfield Centre, Cambridge and organised by the CW Wireless Heritage Special Interest Group.
About our Speaker: Stephen Unger, Former Chairman of the CW Board of Directors
Stephen brings a unique combination of technical expertise, regulatory experience, and entrepreneurial insight to this topic. His career has spanned wireless technologies from radio telescopes for astronomical research to commercial innovation with Ionica, the Cambridge company that built the world's first fixed wireless network. At Ofcom, the UK regulator for digital communications, Stephen served as an executive Board member, Chief Technology Officer, and Acting Chief Executive, leading teams responsible for UK digital communications strategy and international representation. He now holds a portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles in the technology sector, with a consistent focus on how innovators, entrepreneurs, and government can collaborate to generate economic growth and social value.
Why attend:
- Gain unique historical perspective on current technology policy debates around network regulation, digital sovereignty, and platform governance
- Learn from a rare combination of expertise: regulatory leadership, technical innovation, and entrepreneurial experience in wireless communications
- Understand how past government interventions in communications networks succeeded or failed, and what this means for AI, 5G, and future technologies
- Network with heritage enthusiasts and industry leaders at the CW member spring networking reception immediately following
Who should attend:
Technology policy professionals, telecommunications executives, regulatory affairs specialists, network infrastructure leaders, government relations specialists, historians of technology, and anyone interested in understanding how political decisions have shaped, and continue to shape, the communications networks that connect our world.