UK’s telecom watchdog has given its approval for white space spectrum use in a bid to boost wireless network availability in the UK while also laying groundwork for Internet of Things in the country.
White space are those gaps in the radio spectrum in frequency bands that are set aside for specific uses like TV broadcasting, live music or similar such events. The approved spectrum in the 470MHz to 790MHz range can be used to offer new wireless applications to benefit consumers and businesses, says Ofcom.
One of the main reasons why this spectrum is seen a good for the industry is because of signals over this spectrum can travel longer distances and are capable of passing more easily through walls than the bands mainly used by other wireless technologies including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
“Ofcom is now putting in place the foundations for industry to use TV white spaces. A key part of this work has been to allow these airwaves to be shared, while managing the risk of interference for current users”, notes Ofcom in a press release.
Avoiding Interference
Though the spectrum is being used for TV broadcasting and ‘programme making and special events’, not all of the spectrum is every used at any given time. For this reason devices will be able to latch onto the unused spectrum frequencies and broadcast data.
However, to ensure that interference doesn’t occur, databases will communicate with devices using this spectrum giving them a sort of technical constraint in which they must operate. Ofcom says that these databases identify locations, frequencies and times where white space devices will not affect existing users and will apply rules, which put limits on the power levels they can operate at.
Groundwork for Internet of Things
Ofcom says that it supports wireless innovation and for this reason has already allocated a spectrum that can be used in machine to machine network or Internet of Things (IoT) and that UK is among the first countries in Europe to do so.
“This decision helps ensure the UK takes a leading role in the development of innovative new wireless technology”, says Steve Unger, Ofcom Acting Chief Executive. “It is also an important step in helping the UK’s wireless infrastructure evolve effectively and efficiently.”
Keep those Satellites in Orbit or you’re going to lose just about everything!
White Space will revolutionise Internet use because its like Long wave for broadband. The speed won’t be there, but the connection will be. Can’t wait to see this happening, even though its a good 5 years from becoming active in reality!