Microsoft to trial 'white space' Wi-Fi

Digital TV white space used by Micrsoft this week
Digital TV white space used by Micrsoft this week

Microsoft is set to trial a new type of Wi-Fi this week, which uses the white space spectrum to bolster wireless connectivity for smartphones.

The computing company will use frequencies within the 470MHz to 790MHz range – a spectrum which was initially given to digital TV companies but has so far not been used.

The trial will see if pushing a Wi-Fi signal through a spectrum so close to digital TV will harm television signals and is being seen as an alternative to both LTE and current Wi-Fi.

The idea that white space could help with mobile broadband was first proposed by Ofcom back in 2009 and is something the US has been pondering since 2008.

Super Wi-Fi

The trials are taking place in Cambridge this Wednesday and will be closely watched by a consortium that includes the BBC, BSkyB and BT.

"Spectrum is a finite natural resource. We can't make more and we must use it efficiently and wisely," said Microsoft's Dan Reed to the FT.

"The TV white spaces offer tremendous potential to extend the benefits of wireless connectivity to many more people, in more locations, through the creation of super Wi-Fi networks."

Even if the trials are a success, it is not thought that the white space spectrum will be used on a mass scale, but more for rural areas and selected towns and cities.

Via Financial Times

TOPICS
Marc Chacksfield

Marc Chacksfield is the Editor In Chief, Shortlist.com at DC Thomson. He started out life as a movie writer for numerous (now defunct) magazines and soon found himself online - editing a gaggle of gadget sites, including TechRadar, Digital Camera World and Tom's Guide UK. At Shortlist you'll find him mostly writing about movies and tech, so no change there then.

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