This week Telco2 (publisher of NZTelco) has released an InternetNZ-funded study of the practical application of Television White Space Broadband for use in rural New Zealand communities.
Television White Space Broadband (TVWS) is an inexpensive, light weight technology – priced closer to wireless broadband equipment than it is to the cellular equipment typically used to cover rural and remote communities. Through its use of television spectrum TVWS can allow broadband coverage far more effectively than technologies like Wi-Fi while emitting just four watts of power – orders of magnitude less than a typical cellular tower.
Using the technology, wireless broadband providers are now able to take advantage of unused television spectrum, while the rights of broadcasters are preserved. In the most straightforward example of TVWS use, if a television broadcaster isn’t using their spectrum in a particular area, and if its use for broadband wouldn’t compromise a broadcast elsewhere, that spectrum is available for use delivering wireless broadband in a dynamic yet controlled way.
To evaluate the potential utility of TVWS in New Zealand, three rural communities that will be missed by the RBI were identified and evaluated. Radio coverage models were constructed simulating common, off the shelf Wi-Fi technology and new TVWS equipment. The models were then compared for coverage potential of each technology – with TVWS broadband showing a clear advantage in some situations.
The full report is available online: http://tinyurl.com/bph5amf from InternetNZ.
Fascinating study of Parakino, for your reference, its about to be totally covered with GURL wireless that covers 22 of the 30 houses (the 22 that asked us to build community coverage for them), additionally the other houses in the district that are lived in will be covered for future connectivity, all using current commodity technologies. This is partially funded by the RSBI connecting the schools at Whanganui Awa, Aberfeldy and Upokongaro, and an additional 3 small repeaters down the valley. All it took was a little bit of local passion and drive, and 2 days with binoculars and a quad bike to plan.
There are fairly easy solutions for most of these communities if they actually want broadband, the biggest problem to supplying broadband connectivity into these areas is that many people just expect it to be delivered to them with no effort on their own part.
Cheers
James @ InSPire
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