Television White Space (TVWS) Access Framework for Developing Regions

Abstract

The use of unoccupied television (TV) frequency band (known as TV white space - TVWS) for non-broadcasting services is gaining momentum around the world. Especially in developing countries where the majority of the population are in under-served rural areas, such as Africa, TVWS promises to provide broadband wireless access (BWA) to remote and low density population areas. Depending on the licensing approach by national or regional regulators, TVWS can also reduce the cost of spectrum license fee significantly or even be used by secondary networks on license-exempt approach (which is the case in America and Europe). This paper proposes the TVWS Access Framework suitable for the developing regions such as the Southern African Developing Region (SADC). The framework is based on the co-evolution process which defines three key domains of change or external forces in the wireless communications environment: policy/regulation, technology, and business sector. This framework can be used as a guideline for the policy makers, regulators, technology vendors and the business sector in realising the benefits of TVWS without compromising the quality of services currently enjoyed by the TV incumbents and users. Unless there are higher levels of coordination and integration among key players, the SADC region and its citizens may not benefit from the full market potential offered by the TVWS ecosystem. Therefore, the framework will ensure that there is harmonization on policy, regulation, standards and technology, which will result into increased economies of scale within the SADC region in the TVWS ecosystem.