Open Cities research platform November Research-in-Progress Seminar:

Technological Sovereignty in Media Infrastructures: Indigenous 5G Networks in India

Technological sovereignty is increasingly sounded by policy makers world wide as the common objective of three megatrends: digitalisation, decarbonisation and deglobalisation. Within such a framework, Maxigas examines how “indigenous 5G networks” are articulated in India. The empirical material is drawn from recent infrastructural ethnography in Delhi and Bangalore, which focused on making new media in the context of the government’s “Make in India” campaign. The story takes place on contested territory defined by the geopolitical ambitions, telecommunications standards, and technology vendors of the USA, EU and China. The findings are made relevant to the burning questions of the day by contrasting them with current policy developments closer to home. In particular, the ongoing debate on industrial policy for the new European Council, the publication of the Draghi report, and the conference on European Digital Independence.

Prof. dr. Payal Arora will be the main discussant.

7 November 2024, 15:00-18:00 at the Grote Zaal, Muntstraat 2A in Utrecht and online through a videocall

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