Uses of unlicensed white space include machine-to-machine, mobile offloading, surveillance

Stronger WiFi signals, faster mobile broadband and more intelligent surveillance systems for critical infrastructure are some of the possible uses of unlicensed TV “white space” frequencies. That's what a handful of the world’s most influential tech companies have told Industry Canada in consultation submissions made public this week as the department considers the spectrum for unlicensed use. Observers say the true potential of unlicensed white space spectrum won't emerge until it is available and companies and engineers start experimenting with devices. Ultimately, the companies argue, consumers and the Canadian economy will reap significant benefits if Industry Canada opens the door to unlicensed use of the frequencies, which previously served as buffer zones between analog TV channels. “Allowing unlicensed applications in the broadcast bands, as Industry Canada has discussed in the consultation paper, will unleash a whole new wave of innovation and investment in these technologies,” Google Inc. wrote in a response to the department’s Aug. 27 call for comments. “Efficient spectrum utilization is a key ingredient to ensuring that Canada’s citizens fully realize the benefits of affordable high-bandwidth broadband connectivity,” added Microsoft Co. in a submission. Powerful “super Wi-Fi” has often been cited as one of the most likely uses of white space frequencies, which, over the past two years, have moved towards unlicensed use in the U.S. and the U.K. The white space is no longer necessary for broadcasting purposes because analog spectrum channels are being cleared for other uses as a result of the transition to more efficient and better quality digital television broadcasting. Industry Canada is expected to open up the white space spectrum for unlicensed use following a statement in its August consultation paper that specifically asked for comments on the “possible introduction of license-exempt TV band white space devices.” The move would allow lower-powered devices to operate on available white space spectrum without regulatory approvals and licensing, but would require some controls to ensure any device did not interfere with other devices’ signals on nearby frequencies. The white space spectrum sits below the 698 MHz mark, offering durability and better propagation characteristics than the higher 2.4 GHz bands now used for WiFi networks. Wireless networks operating on these lower frequencies could offer three-to-five times greater range than current WiFi networks and “better penetration of walls and other structures,” Nokia Corp. wrote. “This potentially multiplies network coverage by a factor of nine, without increasing the cost.” Several Canadian companies also noted the advantages this would offer for broadband Internet access in remote and rural parts of the country, which often pose cost and logistical challenges for providers. “In fact, the propagation characteristics of this band offer some unique and rare opportunities to solve some of the distance and coverage issues inherent with Canadian geography,” Research In Motion Ltd. wrote. Whitespace WiFi capacity could also offer benefits to consumers in large urban centres by enabling wide-coverage hotspots, companies say. Spectrum for unlicensed WiFi use is expected to help providers with “data offloading” as carriers adapt to rising data usage on smartphones and tablet devices. WiFi helps to free up space on the providers’ mobile networks, Dennis Beland, Quebecor Media Inc.’s senior director of telecom regulatory affairs, noted in an interview. “Offloading already happens through regular WiFi, but because this is basically a superior version of WiFi, it has the potential to be used by all carriers for greater offloading,” Beland said. “That improves the efficiency of the licence-based wireless networks and reduces costs for everyone: network operators and consumers.” But white space applications will extend beyond Internet services. Motorola Inc. pointed to wireless surveillance systems as a potentially valuable use for the frequencies on an unlicensed basis. “WSDs can also provide wireless connections for video surveillance in and around business and power plants, and wireless transmission of high speed data or video throughout a retail, manufacturing, oil refinery or utility complex,” Motorola wrote. “Applications such as this will not only improve security but will also improve the quality and cost effectiveness of operations.” Machine-to-machine applications are also on the rise and are a likely source for use of unlicensed white space spectrum. Microsoft noted in its submission that unlicensed uses could give rise to more machine-to-machine automation in factories. While many companies and organizations favour the quick rollout of an unlicensed white space regime, some called for a more cautious approach. Telus Communications Co. urged Industry Canada to take a slower approach to rolling out the spectrum regulations, arguing that the department should continue monitoring the spectrum’s use in the U.S. and U.K. before making decisions about how it should be used here. Telus noted that many broadband systems already offer services to hard-to-reach rural and remote regions—which means a significant driver of the unlicensed use system in the U.S. and U.K. is not present in Canada. “TELUS supports the Department’s goal to develop a policy and technical framework to make additional spectrum available,” the company wrote in its submission. “owever, TELUS is not convinced that the speed at which the Department is moving to make this particular additional spectrum for licence-exempt applications available is warranted, in particular given that the establishment of the international rules for and deployment of licence-exempt devices and their associated controlling data bases is currently in the extreme early stages.” Gregory Taylor, a broadcasting expert and post-doctoral fellow at Ryerson University, said waiting would be a mistake. One of three Ryerson academics who together filed the only citizen submission for the consultation, Taylor said a similar move in the 1980s made blocks of short-range spectrum available for unlicensed use. At the time, people didn’t know exactly what would come of the blocks, but they ultimately led to the creation of garage door openers, baby monitors and what would be considered a standard WiFi network today. Although no one is sure how the white space spectrum will be used, he said technological innovation will arise where license-free regimes allow developers to experiment. “We need to begin exploring these areas,” Taylor said. “It would be a tremendous step backward for Canada to resist this movement.” nkyonka@thewirereport.ca

Uses of unlicensed white space include machine-to-machine, mobile offloading, surveillance

News | November 11, 2011

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