UK leads the way with new wireless technology trials

10 October 2014

Ofcom is progressing plans for the introduction of new wireless technology in the UK - the first country in Europe likely to do so.

With trials already taking place across the country, Ofcom is working with Google and ZSL London Zoo - the latest organisations to launch TV ‘white space’ trials, using the technology to stream live footage of animals to YouTube.

This technology uses gaps in radio spectrum that exist in between frequency bands, called white space, to offer new wireless applications that will benefit consumers and businesses.

A live web stream of meerkats, Asian otters and giant Galapagos tortoises, delivered over white spaces, is available to view here.

Ofcom is working with industry to test how this technology might be put into practice. The trials test a range of uses, such as internet access for rural communities, Wi-Fi-like services, wireless video streaming, or new ‘machine-to-machine’ networks.

Following completion of the trials, testing and policy development, Ofcom expects the technology could be rolled out during 2015; enabling the use of new wireless applications to benefit consumers and businesses across the country.

UK-wide testing

There are already seven trials running across the UK, with more scheduled to start over the coming months. Both public and private organisations are taking part, testing a variety of innovative applications, using spectrum temporarily licensed by Ofcom:

• Live video streaming: Google and ZSL London Zoo, along with equipment providers MediaTek and 6Harmonics, have launched a trial this week to use a TV white space network to stream live video of the Zoo’s meerkats, Asian otters and giant Galapagos tortoises to YouTube. The trial will use Google’s spectrum database and will help ZSL London Zoo test the technology for use in additional efforts to monitor and protect endangered animals in the wild.
• Flood defence: using TV white space technology, Love Hz and Nominet are working with the Oxford Flood Network, a citizen-built wireless sensor network, which provides early flood warnings for the community. Water levels are monitored in real-time and sent over white space using Adaptrum devices.
• Next generation Wi-Fi and city sensing: The University of Strathclyde's Centre for White Space Communications has been working with Microsoft, 6Harmonics, MediaTek, Spectrum Bridge, and Sky - with backing from the Scottish Government. The pilot explores how the latest technology, including triple-band Wi-Fi, can enhance internet coverage in indoor and outdoor urban locations and enable ‘smart city’ functionality, including linking webcams and other sensors.
• Internet on ships and boats: CloudNet IT Solutions, Fairspectrum and Carlson Wireless Technologies are using white spaces to provide internet connectivity and communications to ferries travelling in the Orkney Islands and Pentland Firth, which have no wireless broadband availability. CloudNet are also looking to extend this trial to other transport operators in the area. Separately, Microsoft, Neul and 6Harmonics have been working with Click 4 Internet on the Isle of Wight to test how the technology could work with boats at sea.

Why white spaces?

Compared with other forms of wireless technologies, such as regular Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the radio waves used by TV white space devices can travel longer distances and more easily through walls.

The on-going trials are testing the operation of white spaces devices, white space databases used to identify what spectrum is available, and the processes needed to minimise the risk of interference to current spectrum users.

Ofcom will explore in future whether the white space in other spectrum bands could be used for similar innovation.

Meeting growing data demand

White space technology is one way of meeting the growing demand for data in the UK. Ofcom is separately planning to free up more spectrum in the future for the next generation of high-speed data services, such as that being released by the Ministry of Defence. This follows the successful completion of the 4G mobile spectrum auction in 2013.

Ofcom is also supporting other forms of wireless innovation and has already released spectrum which can be used for machine to machine networks. The UK is among the first country in Europe to provide spectrum specifically for this technology, which will form a major part of what is becoming known as the ‘Internet of Things’, networks of devices communicating with each other online. These services and applications could offer significant benefits to citizens and consumers.

Philip Marnick, Group Director, Spectrum Policy Group said: “In a world where consumers’ demand for data services is experiencing huge growth, it is essential we find the most efficient ways to share the airwaves. White space technology could be one way of meeting this demand.

“These trials are an important first step in Ofcom understanding whether white space can be used in other spectrum bands.”

A map of some of the on-going UK trials can be found here.

ENDS

 NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. A list of licenced participants involved in the TV white space trials can be viewed here.
2. Both King’s College London, in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and Eurecom, and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Japan are leading white space academic research and development.
3. Triple-band Wi-Fi can improve coverage by including the TV white space band, recently incorporated via the new IEEE 802.11af standard, alongside the established 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
4. In February 2013, Ofcom announced that there were five winning bidders in the 4G mobile auction. A total of 250 MHz of spectrum was auctioned in two separate bands - 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz.