TV signals being trialled for WiFi by Microsoft

A technology trial is being launched by a consortium that is being headed up by Microsoft with the aim of providing new mobile broadband networks that are able to support the growing demand for wireless broadband services.

It has been reported that corporate giant Microsoft is heading up a consortium that is set to being a technology trial with a view to providing new mobile broadband networks that are able to support the growing demand for wireless broadband services. The consortium includes broadcasting and communications giants such as BT, British Sky Broadcasting and the BBC.

The group is hoping to create ‘super WiFi’ networks using white space spectrum as well as to provide basic broadband infrastructure in rural areas, which are typically hard to reach areas when it comes to traditional broadband services. Microsoft is said to have built a similar network as an experiment at its headquarters in the United States through the use of spectrum that is in the frequency band that is normally reserved for digital TV transmission.

The trial is to take place in Cambridge, and those involved believe that its success could persuade other European counterparts to allow white space spectrum to be used for mobile broadband services. The group has also spoken to countries in Asia about similar plans for the use of spectrum. One of the main aims of this trial is to prove that TV transmissions will not be interrupted by using the spectrum for mobile broadband services.

An official from the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, said: “When you have a precious resource like spectrum, for which there is huge demand due to the explosion of smartphones and other wireless devices, using white space spectrum for new broadband services . . . could be a way of making sure we get the best value from that resource.”

Source – Financial Express