White space tech 'will help ISPs reach rural communities'

[wendy]

Thursday, August 28th 2014 by Hannah Langston
White space tech will help rural communities, says ISP (Thinkstock/iStock)

Click4Internet says white space technology could be the ideal solution for reaching remote locations.

White space technology will help to bring broadband within reach of some of the UK's most isolated communities, according to Isle of Wight internet service provider (ISP) Click4Internet.

The unused gaps between TV channels are ideally suited to the delivery of faster internet access, as the spectrum offers the best coverage for the least necessary power.

Speaking to the BBC, Click4Internet's Chief Executive Fraser Munro explained the provider's current system – which uses 5GHz Wi-Fi signals to reach properties beyond the reach of fixed-line networks – struggles to bypass physical obstacles like trees and walls.

As such, it can be difficult for the company to reach customers in heavily wooded areas – but this problem would be overcome with a white space-based solution.

"The new white space technology, because it's a lower frequency, will allow us to penetrate trees to go through walls," Mr Munro said.

Ofcom is yet to permit the widespread use of the technology amid concerns it could interfere with TV services.

However, Head of the regulator's Spectrum Policy Group Philip Marnick told Newsnight he expects the technology to be legalised in the UK in 2015.
http://www.cable.co.uk/news/white-space ... 801745148/

[annie]

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