Google and its partners have today announced the launch of a TV White Spaces (TVWS) trial with 10 schools in the Cape Town area.
White spaces are unused channels in the broadcast TV spectrum. They offer the potential to improve Internet connectivity in the developing world.
The advantage of white spaces is that low frequency signals can travel longer distances, making the technology well suited to provide low cost connectivity to rural communities with poor telecommunications infrastructure, and for expanding coverage of wireless broadband in densely populated urban areas.
Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa, manager: networks and media competency area at CSIR Meraka Institute, says: “We believe that TVWS could help to bridge the digital divide, transmitting Internet data over long distances, opening up access to underserved communities and rural areas.
“The evidence gathered from the trial show that TVWS can be used to deliver wireless Internet services without causing interference to primary users of the spectrum.”
The service will be broadcast from three base stations located on top of Stellenbosch University Medical School. Ten schools in the Cape Town area will receive wireless broadband equal to or better than their current level service.
During the trial in Cape Town, the group of partners will attempt to show that broadband can be offered over white spaces without interfering with licensed spectrum holders. To prevent interference with other channels, the network uses Google’s spectrum database to determine white space availability.
To confirm results, the CSIR Meraka Institute will take spectrum measurements and frequently report back to ICASA and the local broadcasters.
Arno Hart, project manager at TENET, says: “This TVWS technology trial brings South Africa to the cutting edge of innovation in terms of improving Internet connectivity, and is a very positive step towards bringing many more South Africans online. This trial will be used to inform the regulatory process in South Africa.”
Comsol Wireless Solutions, a WAPA member and vendor partner, has nearly two decades of specialist wireless solutions experience and is responsible for the system integration and in-field maintenance of the trial.
“We are pleased to be part of this exciting new development – the first of its kind in South Africa – and look forward to opening discussions with policy makers around a regulatory framework that will support the wider use of TVWS to deliver wireless broadband Internet across the country,” says Luke Mckend, Google South Africa country manager.
White Space technology is gaining momentum around the world. In the US, it is already available for licensed exempt uses. In the UK, regulator Ofcom is working on a model regulatory framework based on a licence-exempt or “managed access” use of television white spaces spectrum. Partners hope the results of the trial will drive similar regulatory developments in South Africa and other African countries.