White space has the advantage that low frequency signals can travel longer distances. The technology is 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.
Google and a group of partners are setting up a TV White Spaces (TVWS) trial for ten schools in the Western Cape, South Africa over a six month period. The trial partners include TENET, CSIR Meraka, e-Schools Network, WAPA, Comsol Wireless Solutions, and Google. The goals of the trial are to:
- Demonstrate that TVWS can be used to deliver affordable broadband and Internet services without interfering with TV reception
- Increase awareness of the potential for TVWS technology in South Africa and across the continent.
The responsibilities of the partners in the trial are as follows:
- CSIR Meraka has permission to operate the network through a group of partners and will perform spectrum field measurements to demonstrate non-interference.
- TENET is managing the network and providing IP transit.
- e-Schools Network is providing support services to the partner schools.
- WAPA has sourced local vendors to deploy the network.
- Comsol Wireless Solutions is installing, configuring, and maintaining the network radio equipment.
- Google is sponsoring the trial and using its Spectrum Database to assign channels to the network with data provided by ICASA.
The trial will provide wireless broadband over TVWS backhaul to 10 schools in the Western Cape. Spectrum measurements will be taken around the area to provide evidence of non-interference with TV broadcast.
The schools are Bellville High School, Cravenby Combined Schools, DF Malan High School, Elswood Secondary School, Fairmont High School, Norwood Primary School, Parow High School, President High School, Range Secondary School and Settlers High School.
Past trials in the U.S. and United Kingdom have shown that the unlicensed use of TVWS has multiple use cases: rural access, emergency services, and smart grid technology.