TV White Space is an example of spectrum sharing, currently used to connect rural communities to the internet around the world. It is the name given to unused broadcasting frequencies in the wireless spectrum, gaps left between channels by television networks. With the right management to ensure that television services are protected, this technology allows more efficient use of national radio spectrum.
Using dynamic spectrum management to make the most effective use of the spectrum, TV White Space radios offer broadband speeds over several kilometres. The signal can travel through permanent obstacles such as trees and challenging terrain.
Given the appealing characteristics it is well suited for a range of uses, including providing broadband connectivity to rural communities, delivering wireless connectivity across campuses and connecting IoT devices.
How it works
- The base station (periodically) connects to the database
- The database provides the list of channels available to use
- The base station selects the channel(s) to use and allows connections from client stations
- Connect and go
The benefits of a TV white space deployment are:
Line-of-sight not required
As frequencies at this part of the radio spectrum are low, waves are long. This means they can travel far and extend beyond obstacles such as trees. This makes TV White Space an ideal solution for rural and semi-rural territories.
Long distance links
The distances that a TV White Space network can cover are significant; point-to-point links can connect at up to 30km, depending on the terrain.
In the UK, broadband speeds average at 18.57Mbps. TV White Space delivers comparable speeds.
Competitive infrastructure costs
With the number of providers of TV White Space equipment increasing, it is now an affordable solution, thanks to economies of scale. As usage continues to grow, a more competitive environment will lower costs even further.
Unlike a fibre network deployment, a TV White Space deployment is free of expensive building work, road excavations and other physical disruptions.
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