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Rural broadband 'lifeline' could emerge from FM to digital radio switchover
Friday 8th July 2011, by Daniel King
Radio spectrum freed up by the FM to digital radio switchover could give broadband providers the means to solve Britain's rural broadband crisis.
Ofcom is considering how it will use additional radio spectrum freed up when FM radio moves over to digital, as well as that made available as the nation moves over from terrestrial to digital TV.
Although trials will need to be carried out to test how the spectrum can be best used, in principal it could provide rural customers with broadband deals closer in quality to those offered in urban areas.
The coalition government has made improving broadband infrastructure in rural areas one of its major policy targets, as well as facilitating improvements to broadband speed tests up and down the country.
Ofcom believes that improvements could be achieved using white space devices, which are currently being trialled for freed-up TV spectrum by a leading global technology firms such as Microsoft, BSkyB, BT and Nokia, who have formed the Cambridge TV White Spaces Consortium dedicated to the task.
Tests will include streaming high-quality video and audio content from the BBC and BSkyB to mobile devices, using local hotspots such as pubs, leisure venues, and commercial and residential premises.
These will be compared against results from tests using Wi-Fi and other mobile broadband alternatives.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards explained: "Spectrum is a resource that is in huge demand, fuelled by the recent explosion in smart phones and other wireless technologies.
"However, there is only a limited amount of it to go around, which means we need to start thinking more creatively about how it is used. White space devices could offer the creative solution we are looking for."
One of the main advantages of white space devices over Wi-Fi and 3G is that they are designed to be used over much lower frequencies. This will help overcome some of the barriers to mobile broadband use in built-up areas, where higher frequencies typically function less well because of obstruction such as floors, ceilings and walls.
Categories: Broadband, Business Broadband, BT, Sky, UK Online
