Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

News

UK 'white space' wireless trial will include traffic management, free WiFi and HD TV

Mark

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

Ofcom has announced the organisations that’ll take part in its trial of ‘white space’ wireless technology. The so-called ‘white spaces’ are temporarily unused gaps in the digital terrestrial TV spectrum.

Technology using these spaces won’t need a licence but will been to check that the frequency is unused before starting transmission. They’ll also confirm their location to a database, which will reduce the risk of interference.

Around 20 organisations will be taking part in Ofcom’s pilot scheme during the next six months.

These include:

  • BT and ‘Internet of Things’ specialist Neul, which will be working with the Department for Transport to test traffic information services on the A14 road between Felixstowe and Cambridge.
  • Microsoft, which will see how white space technology can be used to provide free WiFi access in Glasgow.
  • MELD, which wants to test High Definition digital TV broadcasts over white spaces.

Steve Unger, Ofcom’s Chief Technology Officer, said “Spectrum is the raw material that will underpin the next revolution in wireless communications. In the future it won’t be just mobiles and tablets that are connected to the internet; billions of other things including cars, crops, coffee machines and cardiac monitors will also be connected, using tiny slivers of spectrum to get online. This is likely to deliver large benefits to society; however there isn’t an unlimited supply of spectrum to meet this extraordinary demand. This is why we need to explore new ways of unlocking the potential of spectrum - like white space technology - to get the most from this valuable national resource.”

[Ofcom 2009 online guide to white space technology]

Earlier this year we recorded a podcast about machine-to-machine communications (M2M) and the Internet of Things (IoT) with Grant Notman of Wood & Douglas. You can listen to the full programme on our website or by downloading the MP3 file.

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (0)
You don't have permission to post comments.

Opinion Articles

ExclusiveWhy the Sat-Nav Application Model is Broken

James Rosewell writes:

Most Sat-Nav applications are now obtained via the Application Store used on the mobile phone. Navigon have gone so far as to remove access to their application via any other route. Application Stores are now the only choice. This move to a platform-specific sales model is a massive mistake.

ExclusiveCome on, Steve Jobs – why don't you attack a few more mobile companies?

Mark Bridge writes:

Mark Zuckerberg's girlfriend breaks up with him acrimoniously. So off he goes and creates Facebook. Yes, there's nothing like an insult to fire up the creativity. Well, that's certainly what the plot of The Social Network would like you to think.

And, you know, it's got a point. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that sticking two fingers up at the opposition seems to be the new way of doing business.

ExclusiveThe positive cult of giffgaff

Mark Bridge writes:

Wouldn't it be great if mobile customers loved their networks so much that they'd fight for them?  Ofcom would be inundated with complaints from O2 users about its decision not to allow GSM frequencies to be used for 3G services. Vodafone customers would demand that Nokia pre-loaded the N8 with a Vodafone 360 application. Orange users would be sending petitions to radio stations, asking them to implement HD Voice on phone-ins. And giffgaff users would take to online forums to defend the service they receive.

Oh, hang on. That last one's already happening.

RSS
First8990919294969798Last

Recent Podcasts

ExclusivePodcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

ExclusiveLooking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

ExclusiveA month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«May 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
27282930123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
1234567

Archive