14 May 2014

Microsoft Partners With Facebook And Others In Ghana For TV White Spaces Pilot Program.

 
TV white spaces are the the unused frequencies in the wireless spectrum band dedicated to television. Lots of technology companies including Microsoft are working to unlock the potential in these TV White Spaces. They are trying to use this spectrum for creating cheaper, more ubiquitous and higher-bandwidth wireless broadband connectivity. Currently, Microsoft is involved in pilot projects in 10 countries spanning four continents. Today, they announced a new project in Ghana is the series of TV white spaces deployments in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

The new pilot in Ghana, a part of Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, is a commercial partnership with SpectraLink Wireless and a research partnership with Facebook. The pilot is designed to enable university students and faculty members at universities in Koforidua to enjoy always-on and fast Internet access.
The network will be coupled with a productivity and communications application solution from Microsoft, as well as a device funding model enabling students to purchase a new Internet-enabled device. The pilot is operating under a test license from the Ghana National Communications Authority (NCA).
Facebook is collaborating with us on the project in Ghana to better understand how TV white space spectrum and equipment can support wireless Internet users. All three project partners are also members of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, a global, cross-industry alliance focused on increasing dynamic access to unused spectrum and the organization that convened this week’s summit.

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