The Financial Times said that Microsoft is set to lead a UK consortium trialling the use of “white space” spectrum to deliver mobile broadband services, with other participants including the BBC, BT, Nokia, Samsung and media company BSkyB.
“Spectrum is a finite natural resource. We can’t make more and we must use it efficiently and wisely,” said Dan Reed, Microsoft’s vice president of technology policy and strategy. “The TV white spaces offer tremendous potential to extend the benefits of wireless connectivity to many more people, in more locations, through the creation of super Wi-Fi networks.”
The companies will explore the use of frequencies in the 470MHz–790MHz range, which has been set aside for digital terrestrial television services, but which is not being fully used by broadcasters.
Network start-up Neul has announced a wireless technology designed to connect machines using the “white space” It was noted that the low frequency range of the spectrum in the trial will enable networks to cover larger areas than alternatives, such as LTE and Wi-Fi. The paper also reported that Microsoft has held discussions in Japan and Singapore about the use of white space for mobile services, while US regulators have also stated their support for such technology.
The FT said that one of the most important requirements of the UK trial will be to demonstrate to regulator Ofcom that mobile broadband services will not interfere with television transmissions. A white space network would likely include a frequency database which would define the spectrum available for mobile services, in order to remove the potential for interference.
Ofcom plans to auction their 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum next March. White spaces would be unlicensed, utilizing unused television frequencies. The availability of spectrum would vary from region to region.
Both Microsoft and Google are interested in delivering services over “white spaces” using ad-funded networks. They are expected to be cheaper than licensed cellular frequencies and penetrate indoors better.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and othersx have compared the white-space market to Wi-Fi–a $4 billion-a-year industry that also does not require a spectrum license.
Last year, Microsoft commissioned research that suggests white-space applications may generate $3.9 billion to $7.3 billion in economic value each year.
According to Microsoft, the range and bandwidth offered by TV white spaces can more easily support a variety of connected devices that offer services and communicate with one another, such as connected automobiles and retail signs, as well as wireless connectivity like WiFi.
