TV White Space for Rural Broadband Connectivity

The case of:Bhutan, Botswana, Eritrea, Ghana and Thailand

By:

Meena, Meshingo, Fitsum, Joseph and Nantamano

Course: ITP 610

Prof. Jae Jeung Rho

TA: Alaelddin F. Yosif Mohammed 1

Contents2

1. Introduction

6. Benchmarking

2. Problem Definition

7. Lessons Learned

3. Country Profiles

8. Recommendations

4. Literature Review

9. Conclusion

5. Situation Analysis

- SWOT Analysis

10. References

INTRODUCTION

3

Definition 4

Source: Federal Communications Commission, 2014

Background ● Frequencies in the VHF and UHF television broadcast bands that are either unassigned

or unused by existing broadcasters or other licensees. (Microsoft, 2016)

● Not all the designated channels are in use for broadcast in any given market, therefore leading to “White Spaces” in which a channel that is not used for broadcast may be available for other purposes.

● The actual amounts of spectrum vary by region, but White Space spectrum ranges from 470 MHz to 790 Mhz.

● TV White space devices gain managed access to unused TV channels by providing their precise locations to a database which in turn provides channel lists along with other operating parameters, such as power, duration, and geographic boundaries

● Unused spectrum can be used to provide broadband internet access while operating surrounding TV channels.

Source: Microsoft, 2016. FCC, 2014

5

TV White Space Architecture6

Source: Carlson Wireless Technologies, 2014

TV Whitespace Transmission Overview7

Source: Gilpin, 2014

Carlson Wireless, which distributes white space broadband spectrum, created RuralConnect. The project delivers frequencies from 470 to 698 MHz to areas that would otherwise have trouble getting internet access.

Image: Carlson Wireless

Number of Users TVWS can Support Per CPE in a Rural Setup8

Support 12 - 14 users per Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) in a rural configuration.

Support 30 - 40 users per CPE when using telemetry applications.

Source: Butler, 2011Data rates up to 54 Mbps.

Comparison of TVWS with other wireless Technologies9

● Can travel up to 30 km over various terrains

● Cover nearly 3,000 km2 with single base station and a cost-effect implementation.

● Universal internet coverage.

TVWS

● Can cover distance up to 1-2 km2

● Hop for one hotspot to another

● loss of internet connectivity between hotspots

Wi-Fi

TV White Space Trials around the World

Source: Beveridge, J & Webb, W., 2013

10

11

Source: Ericsson, 2015

Motivation

Motivation12

TVWS

Enhanced Spectrum Utilization

Foster Innovation

Drive Economic

Growth

Digital Dividend

Cheaper Internet Access

Closing the Digital Divide

Problem Definition13

High cost of deployment of

network infrastructure

Lack of adequate wireless

infrastructure in developing countries

High spectrum license cost for operators

Lack of affordability

by rural communities

1 2 3 4

14

Goal

Propose TV White space as a solution for Rural Broadband Connectivity.

15

Objectives16

1. To explore the TV white space technology potentials and challenges.

2. To assess each country’s TV White Space readiness.

3. To propose TV White Space implementation architecture

LITERATURE REVIEW

17

White Spaces Trials● 2011: Largest White Space technology trials occurred in Cambridge

● Stakeholders: Microsoft, the BBC, BT, and Nokia launched a consortium to support the project.

● 2014: Ofcom, the regulator of UK communications, announced a six month trial with 20 private and public sector organizations, making it Europe's first major pilot of the technology.

● 2011: Wilmington, North Carolina implemented White Space technology to connect the city's infrastructure:

● Public officials are able to remotely turn lights on and off in parks

● provides public wireless broadband to certain areas of the city, and monitor water levels.

● 2013: West Virginia University, White Space technology is used to power a "super Wi-Fi network".

● Provision of wireless internet on the campus public transit platform, which transports about 15,000 students a day.

● WVU is the first campus to utilize White Space broadband internet.

18

Source: Gilpin, 2014

A student uses whitespace broadband spectrum to connect to Wi-Fi on campus at WVU.

Japan: Long-Range Broadband Communications in TV White Space19

Source: National Institute of Information and Communication Technology,2014

❖ In 2014, the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology (NICT) and Hitachi Kokusai confirmed a success in long-range wireless communications by using IEEE 802.22 and IEEE 802.11af based systems in Tono City, Japan.

Limitations of TV White Space

The antennas have to be physically large

20

The unlicensed radio channels can be interfered

Protection for existing TV operators and other

licensed users requires strict limit on out-of-band

emissions

Currently no regulatory framework for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation for TVWS

Interface to geolocation database required

Harmonization of standards

Potential in Developing Countries & Rural Areas

● Continents like Africa, where only 16 percent of the population is online

● TVWS characteristics makes it great for remote, off-the-grid village

● Google and Microsoft have also invested in White Space technology in developing countries.

○ Google launched a program in 10 schools in Cape Town, South Africa.

○ Microsoft's 4Afrika initiative is focusing on WTVS in Africa & other continents to bring

millions of people online. (Microsoft, 2016)

● Unserved and underserved areas such as rural areas perfect for use of TVWS Apurva N.

Mody, Chairman of the WhiteSpace Alliance (Gilpin, 2014)

21

Big future for White Space technology

● Unlicensed spectrum provides opportunities for free wireless local distribution

of internet service.

● The demand for unlicensed spectrum using Wi-Fi technologies at 2.4 GHz and

5GHz has been growing at very high rates

Source: Gilpin, 2014

22

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

Botswana Eritrea Ghana ThailandBhutan

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS: BHUTAN

TV White Space Readiness

General Indicators

❏ Population: 774,028 (NSB, 2016)❏ Area: 38, 394 square Km❏ ICT Regulator: Ministry of Information and Communication

ICT Indicators

❏ Number Telecom Operators: 2❏ Internet Penetration: 34.4% (Internet

World Stats, 2015)❏ Mobile Penetration: 85% (Buddecomm,

2015)❏ Domestic Bandwidth Capacity: 200

Mbps❏ Cost of Bandwidth: 31USD (Bhutan

telecom, 2016)❏ Submarine Cables: None❏ Internet Service Providers:4❏ VSAT Data Providers: 4❏ Domain name: .bt

Frequency Indicators❏ Regulator: Bhutan Infocomm and Media

Authority❏ Number of TV Stations: 1❏ Radio Stations: 7

Source: National Statistical Bureau of Bhutan, 2016

25Country Profile

Spectrum & Broadcasting Status

● Bhutan plans to digitalise its television services by 2018.

● Work will started by July 2016

● Bhutan currently uses analogue technology to broadcast.

● Spectrum Allocation

● done by Bhutan Media and Infocomm Authority

● Successful trial of TV White Space was done in a village Tang to provide:

● Quality health care and ensure treatment is received quickly and cost effectively in Feb 2014.

● Bhutan’s total international bandwidth is around 5.65 Gbps (giga bits per second), with both

Bhutan Telecom and Tashi InfoComm combined.

26

Source: Kuenselonline.com, 2015

Urbanization & GeographyGEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS

● Mountainous landscape

○ Southern part: 660 feet

○ Highest point in the country: 24,840 feet

● Difficult terrain for fibre deployment and

expensive

● Dispersed rural population

27

Source: United Nations World Urbanization Prospects, National Statistical Bureau

World Bank, 2015

SWOT Analysis28

❏ Supportive telecommunications and broadcasting regulatory entity

❏ Successful trial using TV White space❏ Extensive television coverage❏ Government Promotion of rural broadband

connectivity❏ Digital migration underway

❏ No regulations and framework on use of TV White Space❏ Lack of knowledge on TV White Space by Internet Service

Providers.

❏ Low internet penetration in rural areas❏ Government policy of equitable development in all

places of the country.❏ Plans to digitalise its television (TV) services by

2018❏ Bhutan to have third link internet connection by

2017

❏ Large part of the population resides in rural area(70% in rural)

❏ Due to difficult mountain terrain, market for telecom operators are not attractive

❏ Interference with existing TV/Radio operators

Source: NSB, UNDP (2012)

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS-BOTSWANA29

TV White Space Readiness

General Indicators

❏ Population: 2,024,904 Million (Budde Communications, 2015)❏ Area: 581,730 sq. km ❏ Region: Southern Africa

ICT Indicators

❏ Number Telecom Operators: 4 (BOCRA, 2015)❏ Internet Penetration: 22% (Budde Communications, 2015)❏ Mobile Penetration: 169.9% (BOCRA, 2015)❏ Domestic Bandwidth Capacity: 4 Tbps (BOCRA, 2015)❏ Cost of Bandwidth: $159.96 per month (BOCRA, 2015)❏ Submarine Cables: EASSy, WACS❏ Internet Service Providers: 68❏ VSAT Data Providers: None❏ Domain name: .BW

Frequency Indicators❏ Regulator: BOCRA❏ Number of TV Stations: 2 (BOCRA, 2016)❏ Radio Stations: 6 (BOCRA, 2016)

30Country Profile

Urbanization & GeographyGEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS

● Predominantly flat terrain

● Ease of deployment

31

Rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (World Bank, 2015)

Spectrum & Broadcasting Status ● Spectrum Allocation

● Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority

● Management of geolocation database

● Dynamic Spectrum Access: TVWS

● Trials can be done by an authorised entity

● Exploited frequencies are 470 – 694 MHz;

● Digital Migration

● Botswana adopted the ISDB-T for digital TV

● Migration process commenced in 2015 and to be completed in 2016

32

SWOT Analysis33

❏ Supportive telecommunications and broadcasting regulatory entity

❏ Successful trial using TV White space❏ Extensive television coverage ❏ Spectrum allocation for trials on TV White

Spaces❏ Government Promotion of rural broadband

connectivity

❏ No regulations and framework on use of TV White Space

❏ Lack of knowledge on TV White Space by Internet Service Providers

❏ Revision of licensing framework❏ Limited services in rural areas❏ low internet penetration in rural areas❏ Funds from the Universal Access and Service

Fund could be used for TVWS in some rural area

❏ Dynamic Spectrum Utilization

❏ Declining rural population❏ Lack of buy in by broadcasters❏ Rural areas not commercially viable

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS - ERITREA34

TV White Space Readiness

General Indicators

❏ Population: 5.1 million (World Bank, 2014)❏ Area: 117,600 km2

❏ Region: East Africa❏

ICT Indicators

❏ Number Telecom Operators: 1❏ Internet Penetration: 1%❏ Mobile Penetration: 6%❏ Fixed Penetration: 1%❏ Domestic Bandwidth Capacity: 42 Mbps❏ Cost of Bandwidth: ~5000.00 USD❏ Submarine Cables: Not Available❏ Internet Service Providers: 5❏ VSAT Data Providers: 1 (EriTel)❏ Domain name: .erc

Source: WorldBank, IndexMundi, www.eri.tv, www.shabait.com, BuddeComm, 2015

Frequency Indicators❏ Regulator: Ministry of Information❏ Number TV Channels: 3❏ Radio Channels: 9❏ ICT & Telecom Regulator: Ministry of Communications

35Country Profile

Urbanization & Geography36

Annual urbanization rate: 5.4% est (2010-15)

Source: www.shabait.com, United Nations World Urbanization Prospects

GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS

● Mountainous● Flat Lands etc..

Spectrum & Broadcasting Status

● Digital Migration commenced in 2014

● The national TV Channel is being broadcasted in both Digital and

Analog.

● For most African countries the SwitchOver to Digital was planned to

be completed by mid 2015.

● However, 70% of the countries including Eritrea did not meet the

deadline.

37

Source: Eritrean Ministry of Information, 2014, http://www.shabait.org, Africa Telecommunication Union (ATU), 2015

SWOT Analysis38

❏ Digital Migration has already commenced

❏ Extensive nationwide TV coverage

❏ Government promotion of rural connectivity

❏ Low coverage of backbone network deployment

❏ Low internet penetration, submarine cables not deployed.

❏ Lack of knowledge of TVWS

❏ Lack of regulatory framework on TVWS deployment.

❏ Large part of the population resides in rural area

❏ Availability of unlicensed TV Frequency

❏ Platform for new wireless broadband entrance.

❏ Low internet penetration in the rural communities.

❏ Enhance Educational services within the rural communities.

❏ Rural-Urban migration (5.4%)

❏ Rural market unattractive to telecom operators.

❏ Largest land portion of the country is un-urbanized

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS: Ghana

TV White Space Readiness

General Indicators

❏ Population:27 million (Ghana Statistical Service 2015)❏ Area: 238,537sq. Km❏ Region: West Africa Sub-region❏ ICT Regulator: National Information Technology Agency (NITA)

ICT Indicators

❏ Number Telecom Operators: 6 Operators (NCA, 2015)❏ Internet Penetration:62.05% (NCA, 2015)❏ Mobile Penetration: 127.63%❏ Domestic Bandwidth Capacity: 16 TBps (MOC, 2015)❏ Cost of Bandwidth Dedicated: $3000❏ Submarine Cables: 5 submarine cable companies

❏ Internet Service Providers: 30 (NCA, Ghana)❏ VSAT Data Providers: 57❏ Domain name: .ghFrequency Indicators

❏ Regulator: National Communication Authority❏ Number of TV Stations: 30❏ Radio Stations: 100

40 Country Profile

41

Urbanization & Geography

● Mountainous, river and forest

vegetation cover.

● Suitable for TVWS deployment.

3.5%

Source: World Bank, 2015

Ghana TVWS42

Digital migration commenced in 2014,and to be completed in

December 2016.

It is being executed by Knet, Ghana

Successful trial of TVWS done at AllNation University, Koforidua to give

affordable internet access to students.

It was done by Dynamic Spectrum Alliance in 2014.

SWOT Analysis43

❏ Digital Migration has already commenced.

❏ Extensive nationwide TV coverage.

❏ Successful trial using TV White space.❏ Government Promotion of rural broadband

connectivity.

❏ Lack of regulatory framework on TVWS deployment.

❏ Lack of knowledge and awareness by telecom service providers in the country.

❏ Availability of un-utilized frequencies.

❏ Platform for new wireless broadband entrance.❏ Low internet penetration in the rural

communities.❏ Enhance education in within the rural

communities.

❏ Interferences from existing broadcasting house.

❏ Strong competition from existing 3G & 4G operators.

❏ Rural-Urban migration❏ Rural market unattractive to many wireless

operators.

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS- THAILAND

TV White Space Readiness

General Indicators

❏ Population: 67,976,405 (World Bank, July 2015)❏ Area: 513,120 sq km❏ Region: East Asia and Pacific❏ ICT Regulator: Ministry of information and Communication Technology

ICT Indicators

❏ Number Telecom Operators: 4 Operators ❏ Internet Penetration: 28.8% (2014 est.)❏ Mobile Penetration: 145%❏ Domestic Bandwidth Capacity: 2.6 TBps❏ Cost of Bandwidth:❏ Submarine Cables: 5 submarine cable

landing station.❏ Internet Service Providers: 30 ISP❏ VSAT Data Providers:❏ Domain name: .thMedia Indicators

❏ Regulator: The National Broadcasting Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)

❏ Number of TV Stations: 3 Analogue, 36 Digital terrestrial❏ Radio Stations: 101+

45Country Profile

Urbanization & Geography46GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS● Highlands● Flat

Source: World Bank, 2015

Digital Migration

● Digital television in Thailand was launched in 2014. By 2017, 95%

of households are expected to go digital.

● Televisions which are not digital can watch digital television by using a

set-top box.

● Around 48 channels are available to viewers, although this number varies

from region to region.

47

SWOT Analysis48

❏ Digital Migration has already commenced

❏ Extensive nationwide TV coverage.

❏ Submarine cables deployed.

❏ Digital TV migration

❏ Limited TV White Space by Internet Service Providers.

❏ lack of regulatory framework that covers TVWS

❏ Interest in TV white space by the industry

❏ Availability of spectrum from digital dividend

❏ Strong competition from existing operators

❏ resistance from broadcasting operators

All Countries Summary49

❏ Digital Migration has already commenced

❏ Extensive nationwide TV coverage

❏ Government promotion of rural connectivity

❏ Lack of Knowledge of TVWS among ISPs

❏ Lack of regulatory framework on TVWS deployment.

❏ Availability of unlicensed TV Frequency

❏ Platform for new wireless broadband entrance.

❏ Enhance Educational services within the rural communities.

❏ Rural-Urban migration

❏ Rural market unattractive to telecom operators.

All Countries Summary SWOT Analysis50

BENCHMARKING

Indicators 52

Country Population Internet Penetration Broadcasting # of TVWS Trials/Use

Frequencies(380 - 928 MHz)

Kenya 44.35 Million (World Bank, 2013)

43.4% (World Bank, 2015)

Digital 2 470 - 694 MHz

Japan 123.3 Million (World Bank, 2013)

90.6% (World Bank, 2015)

Digital 4 470 - 710 MHz

South Korea 50.22 Million (World Bank, 2013)

85.7% (World Bank, 2015)

Digital 1

Source: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.P2

Kenya - regulatory process53

Source: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/workshops/RWP1B-SMWSCRS-14/Presentations/KEN%20-%20Licensing%20of%20TV%20White%20Space%20Networks%20in%20Kenya.pdf

Kenya - regulatory process54

Source: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Conferences/GSR/Documents/GSR2015/Discussion_papers_and_Presentations/GSR_Discussion_paper_mservices.pdf

Kenya - regulatory process55

Source: http://research.microsoft.com/en-US/projects/spectrum/mawingu_kenya_baseline-measurement-evaluation-report.pdf

Article on Korea TVWS

Source: http://2013.rigf.asia/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/TV_White_Space_in_Korea.pdf

56

57 Africa

(Kenya)

Kenya: TV White Space Usage in Laikipia County58

Source: http://dynamicspectrumalliance.org/assets/TVWS_Report_for_Kenya_final_final_24_Aug.pdf

TV White Space Usage in Laikipia County59

Project Sponsor: Microsoft East Africa 1

Location:Unserved and underserved rural communities within Laikipia county were connected with high speed broadband internet through TVWS.

2

Usage: 11 locations including schools, government facilities, and farms were connected.

3

60

Base Stations Deployed

Coverage Area of 3 Base Stations At 3 Locations61

Impact of Laikipia County TV White Space Trial

● Interference free point to multipoint coverage of up to 14km from base stations operating at only 2.5 Watts.

● It provides approximately 235 km of TVWS coverage using multiple 90 degree base station sector antennas.

● The trial achieved speeds of up to 16Mbps on a single 8 MHz TV channel at distances of up to 14 kilometres.

● No interference from any concerned parties was recorded.● No interference with other equipment or network was recorded during the

trial, which helped the trial record 99.8% availability.● The average data consumption rate is between 7-10 GB per day in a school

population of 310 (Gakawa Secondary School).● The connection supports various media protocols such:

○ Skype voice and video conferencing○ Emails○ Video streaming○ High speed VPN services, and ○ File Transfer Protocol.

62

The TVWS coverage and data throughput was determined by:

❖ The transmission power used by a radio device within a location.

❖ The height and gain of the base station should be between 30m-40m.

❖ The use of specific UHF band channels.

❖ The signal strength varied due to differences between base stations and clients radio

(CPE) because of the terrains.

❖ There would be interferences from existing terrestrial TV channels, and that need to

be protected.

❖ Geo-location database that provides the frequency bands.

❖ The time frame within which devices must re-register in order to receive updated

information.

63 Technical Considerations

Gakawa Secondary School Connectivity64

CPE Installation At Trialists’ Premises65

Source: http://wireless.ictp.it/school_2014/Lectures/Day7/RuralBroadband.pdf

Implementation Process66

Consultation and Feasibility Study

● Application for deployment of TVWS network

● Regulator:Communication Authority of Kenya.

● Local Entrepreneurs● Microsoft East Africa

Limited.● Site survey to select

feasible areas for base station deployment.

Phase I (2012)

Authorization & Deployment

● Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK), authorized Microsoft and its partners to set up Tier 3 network of TVWS trials

● Supply, delivery and installation of 11 base stations were sourced abroad.

● It took 6 months for the installation of the base stations, and equipment.

● The integration was done by a local telecom operator.

● 11 locations including schools, government buildings, farms were connected

● It trial was a turn-key project.

Phase II (2013)

Monitoring and Evaluation

● This was to understand the economic and social impact of TVWS broadband connectivity services in rural Kenya

● The M&E task was run for 18 months tracking the progress of the project, and this was to give back to the government as to whether deploy more TVWS in rural parts of Kenya.

Phase III

Success Factors67

Financial Analysis for Kenya68

Financial expenses on the Kenya TVWS trials for 11 Base Stations:

Infrastructure equipment installation

Tower, Building & BU Power

$1000

$6,000

Electronics — Client Unit & Antenna

Electronics — Back office Systems

$1,000

$3,000

TVWS Engineering & Other Services $2,000

$14,500

Internet Bandwidth Cost $1,500

$159,500X 11 BTS =

Challenges69

Asia(Japan)

70

TVWS Use in Tono City: Japan71

Source: NICT, 2014

TVWS72

TVWS 73

Data Throughput Measurements 74

Connection Protocol Maximum Uplink

Throughput

Maximum Downlink

Throughput

TCP 3.5 Mbit/s 8.9 Mbit/s

UDP 3.4 Mbit/s 16.4 Mbit/s

TCP 7.6 Mbit/s 3.8 Mbit/s

UDP 8.0 Mbit/s 5.2 Mbit/s

Network architecture of the demonstration system

75

Source: NICT, 2015

A prototype of the tablet terminal (left) and the white-space WLAN base station (right)

Equipment Used

Implementation Process76

Consultation and Feasibility Study

● Regulator: Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications

● Committees: TVWS Investigation & Promotion teams established

● Procedure: Call for proposals for deployment of TVWS network

● Stakeholders: National Institute of Information & CommunicationS Technology (NICT)

● Standard: ISDB-T broadcasting

● contribution to development of IEEE 802.11 standard

Phase I (2009 - 2010)

Authorization & Deployment

● Selection: 25 proposals on White space areas

● Working Group: for coexistence in TVWS applications established

● Deployment: TV White Space Trials conducted

● Equipment: development of TVWS devices

● Commercialization: commercial services of area broadcasting provided

Phase II (2011 - 2013)

Monitoring and Evaluation

● Monitoring: Development of TVWS database supporting US and Japan

● Traffic Offloading: Long Term Evolution & TV White Space

Phase III (2014 - 2015)

Stakeholders in TVWS usage77

Ministry of Internal affairs and communications (MIC)

Information andCommunications Council

Council for White SPace Promotion

Broadcastingsystem committee

Working group forcoexistence in White Space

applications

Working group for White Space utilized broadcasting system

Success Factors78

Strong GovernmentCommitment

Research & Development

International Collaboration

Asia(South Korea)

79

Implementation Process80

Consultation and Feasibility Study

● Regulator: Korea Communications Commission

● Stakeholders: Korea Telecom (KT)

● Draft Technical Regulations

Phase I (2011)Authorization & Deployment● Sponsor: Ministry of

Science, ICT & Future Planning

● Stakeholders: KT, Jeju City, domestic vendors

● Technical: Feasibility Test

● 1st TV White Space service Trial (2013.07 - 2013.12

● Development of TV White Space database

● Verification of Regulations

Phase II (2012 - 2013)

Commercialization

● Finalization of Regulations

● Commercialization of TV White Space service

Phase III (2014)

81TV White Space Trial in Jeju Island

82Current Uses of TVWS in Korea

PublicInformation

Weather, EarthquakeInformation

IPTV

83Stakeholder position towards TVWS in Korea

Success Factors84

Supportive regulatorenvironment

Stakeholder engagement

Financial support

Lessons Learnt85

Need of Regulations and licensing

framework for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation1 Need for a well managed Geolocation Database 2

Monitoring the development of the technology to avoid interference with broadcasting operators3

Collaboration between the Government and Private institutions4

Stakeholder Engagement 5

Recommendations

86

General Recommendations87

Development of Regulations and licensing

framework for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation1 Need for a well managed Geolocation database 2

Monitoring the development of the technology to avoid interference with broadcasting operators3

Regulators should consider allocation license exempt managed use of TVWS4

General Recommendations88

● Acquisition of trial authorisation license

● Utilization of 470 MHz - 694 MHz frequency band

● Provision and use of spectrum on non-protected, utilization of spectrum on

non-interference basis, and non-exclusivity license

● Type Approval of equipment used for TVWS to avoid interference

Development of TVWS usage conditions for authorised use:5

Universal Service Funds should support the deployment of this technology for rural broadband connectivity6

89

Recommendations: Bhutan

Regulations:

● Develop regulations for white TV space usage.

● Develop the Master Plan for White TV space.

● Licensing framework that incorporate TVWS.

Development:

● Detailed study to be conducted in rural

areas.

● Partnership with private sector.

Funding:

● Government should allocate budget for

TV white space deployment.

● Seek funding source such as world bank.

Technical Skills:

● Train and develop the human resource

for White TV space deployment.

89

90

Recommendations: Botswana

Regulations:

● Development of regulations for dynamic spectrum access.

● Licensing framework that incorporate TVWS.● Monitor existing TVWS trials.● SADC regional harmonization.

Development:

● Partnership with private sector for deployment.

● UASF: should consider funding operators to deploy

broadband access to TVWS.

● Ministerial budget allocation for connectivity:

Finance, Health, Agriculture, Education.

Funding:

● Position paper on TVWS with stakeholders input● Raise awareness on TVWS (benefits &

challenges).● Research & development by Botswana Institute

of Technology Research & Innovation, Academia and BOCRA.

Technical Skills:

● Training on TVWS for BOCRA & operators.

● Geolocation database management.

● Type approval standards for TVWS equipment.

● Traffic offloading to TVWS network.

● Benchmarking with other countries. 90

91

Recommendations: Eritrea

Regulations:

● Develop national ICT Policy● Open Telecom Industry for Competition● Plan for local content/services

deployment● Finalization of Digital Migration

Development:

● Develop regulations for TVWS usage.

● Develop TVWS deployment plan.

● Identify and Prioritize areas/villages for testing

TVWS.

Funding:

● Government should allocate budget for TV

white space deployment.

● Seek funding source such as world bank.

Technical Skills:

● Deploy submarine cables to Eritrea.

● Extend national Backbone network.91

92

Recommendations: Ghana

Regulations:

● Development of regulations for dynamic spectrum access.

● Enacting TVWS policy into existing policies.

● Policy to undertake TVWS trials.

Development:

● Government partnership with the private

sector to share cost in TVWS deployment.

● International community such as the World

Bank to fund rural TVWS implementation.

Funding:

● Creating public awareness of TVWS by the national regulator.

Technical Skills:

● The national regulator as well as the wireless

operators should equip their staff with the needed

skills and training to embrace TVWS buzz.92

93

Recommendations: Thailand

Regulations:

● Development of enabling framework for TVWS

● Accelerate digital migration for remaining sites.

Development:

● Promotion of TVWS usage

● More research on TVWS

Funding:

● Private sector involvement.

Technical Skills:

● Training regulator personnel

● benchmarking with Japan

93

94

Summary Recommendations

Regulations:● Development of Regulations for dynamic

spectrum access.

● Development of Regulations for TV white

space usage.

● Licensing framework that incorporate TVWS.

● Monitor existing TVWS trials.

Development:● Government partnership with the Private

sector to share cost in TVWS deployment.

● International community such as the World

Bank to fund rural TVWS implementation.

● Detailed study to be conducted in rural

areas.

94

95

Recommendations

Funding:● Government should allocate budget for TV

White Space deployment.

● Seek funding sources such as World Bank,

USAID, AfDB etc...

● Collaborate with Local and International

private partners and corporations such as

Microsoft, Google etc...

Technical Skills:● Train and develop human resource for

TV White Space deployment.

● Geolocation Database management.

● Setting Standards for TVWS

● Monitoring the network performance

95

An existing broadband ISP operates the TVWS network

Business Modeling96

1A local entrepreneur plays the role of system integrator and ISP2

A municipality or local government operates TVWS network3 A local library, university or other institution performs as an ISP4

Business Model scenarios for TVWS network deployments that can be used by the countries:

Managed Geolocation Database by regulator

Financial Analysis97

Financial estimations for one TVWS base-station deployment facilities, and 1 year operation cost:

Infrastructure equipment installation

Tower, Building & BU Power

$1000

$6,000

Electronics — Client Unit & Antenna

Electronics — Back-office Systems

$1,000

$3,000

TVWS Engineering & Other Services $2,000

$14,500

Internet Bandwidth Cost $1,500

NB. This estimations are NOT final, and will vary for specific country and the conditions of serving areas.

Source: TV White Space Ready for Prime Time, 2014

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7. Conclusion

Employment Creation for rural youth

High & Affordable connectivity

Enhance ICT education in rural communities

Opportunity to promote use of renewable energy

for electricity supply

Closing the digital gap between rural and urban dwellers.

Boost innovation in rural communities

TVWS Offers

Research & Development

Project Timeline

Pending MilestonesCompleted Milestones

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7. References

Atlas.(2013). Bhutan Economy. Retrieved from http://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/btn/

Beveridge, J & Webb, W. (2013). White Spaces Spectrum around the Globe Services and Applications. Retrieved from http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/whitespaces/Microsoft_NEUL.pdf

Dynamic Spectrum Alliance. (2014). Bhutan TVWS trial connects remote health unit. Retrieved from http://dynamicspectrumalliance.org/pilots/ Flynn, P. (2013). White Space: Potentials and Realities. Texas Instruments. Retrieved from http://www.ti.com/lit/wp/spry227/spry227.pdf

Dynamic Spectrum Alliance.(2014). Retrieved from http://dynamicspectrumalliance.org/summit2014.htmlGavan, J. (2014). Super WiFi (TV Whitespace) Networking & Extending Library Services into the Community. Retrieved from http://mountainconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/John-Gavan-Super-WiFi-TV-Whitespace-Networking-Preso-for-MC-2014.pdf

Gilpin, L. (2014). White Space, the next internet disruption: 10 things to know. Retrieved from http://www.techrepublic.com/article/white-space-the-next-internet-disruption-10-things-to-know/

http://www.ieee802.org/22/Technology/22-10-0073-03-0000-802-22-overview-and-core-technologies.pdf

Microsoft. (2016).Microsoft Research: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/spectrum/faq.aspx#WhatTVWS

National Institute of Information and Communication Technology. (2014). World’s First Breakthrough Achieved for Long-Range Broadband Communications in TV White Space. Retrieved from

http://techcrunch.com/2015/11/30/itu-3-2b-people-now-online-globally-mobile-broadband-overtakes-home-internet-use/

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http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6776081

http://wireless.ictp.it/Papers/MalawiTVWS.pdf

http://icto.dost.gov.ph/tv-white-space-deployment-in-ph-the-largest-in-asia/

http://icto.dost.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tvws-white-paper_power-automation_rev1.pdf

http://wireless.ictp.it/school_2014/Lectures/Day7/RuralBroadband.pdf

https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=tv+white+spaces+and+south+korea&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=bz4PV-z8DtHs0ASA7pLwDQ

http://dynamicspectrumalliance.org/assets/submissions/2014-12-17%20Dynamic%20Spectrum%20Alliance%20Comment%20on%20Philippine%20Memorandum%20Circular.pdf

http://www2.ic.uff.br/~ejulio/doutorado/artigos/06155872.pdf

Ki Won Sung, TV white spaces (finally) open in Korea, 2012

102

7. References

Cambridge White Spaces Consortium (2012)

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/spectrum/cambridge-tv-white-spaces-trial-recomms.pdf

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7. References

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