Google Tests White Space Spectrum For School Broadband In South Africa 33
judgecorp writes with news that Google is beginning tests on white space spectrum to deliver broadband internet access to rural communities in South Africa.
"White space has the advantage that low frequency signals can travel longer distances. The technology is well suited to provide low cost connectivity to rural communities with poor telecommunications infrastructure, and for expanding coverage of wireless broadband in densely populated urban areas. ... Ten schools in the Cape Town area will receive wireless broadband to test the technology. During the trial, we will attempt to show that broadband can be offered over white spaces without interfering with licensed spectrum holders. To prevent interference with other channels, the network uses Google’s spectrum database to determine white space availability."
Microsoft already doing it in Kenya (Score:3, Informative)
In other news... (Score:4, Informative)
Looks like Microsoft is doing basically the same thing in Kenya:
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/solar-power-and-white-spaces-bring-internet-to-towns-without-electricity/ [arstechnica.com]