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Technology behind TV whitespaces gets ISO approval

The core technology behind WhiteSpace Alliance’s Wi-FAR has just been approved to become an International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

This is a rather big deal for the company, as Wi-FAR forms the backbone of broadband internet access through the under-utilised TV band spectrum (in other words, TV white spaces). The approved standard will be referred to as ISO/IEC/IEEE Std. 8802-22:2015.

“Incorporating learnings from the TV broadcast community, the Wi-FAR specification is the first and only specification that has seriously addressed the requirements of long distance, non-line of sight transmission for Internet traffic to provide cost-effective backhaul and middle mile solutions,” WSA said in a media statement.

Dr Apurva N Mody, Chairman of WhiteSpace Alliance, explained that getting ISO approval will open the doors for the technology to be adopted across the globe.

“International standards approval for Wi-FAR technology is a key step in promoting adoption of white space solutions throughout the world. Adherence to standards encourages solution providers to provide interoperable products. In addition, nations with large rural and remote populations who currently have little or no Internet access can confidently deploy Wi-FAR technology to deliver a wide range of broadband, Internet of Things (IoT), health, security and government services.”

South Africa has seen its fair share of white spaces adoption, as technology giant Microsoft last year launched a TV white spaces trial in Limpopo, as part of its 4Afrika initiative. In the first phase, it connected five rural schools to the technology so that they could access a broadband connection.

“We planned to demonstrate to South Africa how to use unused TV spectrum to transmit and provide affordable broadband to areas that previously did not have it. This project is not just about connectivity. It is also about showing the possibilities that connectivity is able to provide to people who did not have it before,” then-Microsoft South Africa managing director Mteto Nyati said at the time.

Other TV white spaces projects have been launched in Namibia and Ghana.

[Image – CC Sarah Reid]

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