white space
On Friday, March 23rd 2018, the South African communications regulator (ICASA) formally gazetted Regulations on the Use of Television White Spaces spectrum. This means that, subject to type approval and to authorisation through a geo-location database, TV White Space wireless communication equipment can legally be used in South Africa. This is a pretty big deal.
In this joint submission, APC and the Internet Society propose community network operators as a viable solution to reduce the disparity in broadband internet access affecting Canadians, predominantly from rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
At an event hosted by APC, WAPA and Google Africa in October 2011, government officials, regulators, and industry leaders gathered to discuss the benefits of TV white spaces (TVWS). In a recent piece on this emerging issue, “TV’s white spaces connecting rural Africa” BBC News highlights outcomes from the spectrum workshop and potential unprecedented impacts on access.
The programme will be developed by APC together with the programme with Google Africa and the Open Spectrum Alliance and Steve Song.
Unused TV white spaces could be the way to get highspeed wireless internet to millions living outside major African cities. Manufacturers are gearing up for mass production of white space devices and now is the time to act. APC and partners are coordinating an important workshop for govt officials, regulators and professionals in October.
