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IDA Finalizes TV White Space Regulatory Framework

By Ng Chong Seng - on 17 Jun 2014, 10:18am

IDA Finalizes TV White Space Regulatory Framework

One of the pilot TVWS projects is conducted by the Singapore Island Country Club, which uses TVWS to optimize connectivity and deploy smart sensors that help it monitor the moisture of the golf course and track golf buggies. (Image source: Singapore White Spaces Pilot Group.)

Last June, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) announced the start of a public consultation on the use of TV White Space technology in Singapore, one of the steps to help the statutory board develop a regulatory framework for the use of this unused spectrum in TV broadcast channels. Fast forward a year and the aforementioned framework is ready, and will come into effect this November.

According to IDA, the regulations will make available for use approximately 180MHz of spectrum. They set out the TVWS equipment requirements, spectrum channels to be made available for TVWS use, and how TVWS equipment should communicate with geo-location databases in order to identify the available spectrum channel to use, among others. Singapore is one of the first few countries in the world to have a formal framework for TVWS (a.k.a. Super Wi-Fi).

In the last couple of years, we’ve seen several TVWS pilot projects around the island, such as the one at the Canopy sites at Gardens by the Bay that provides Wi-Fi connectivity to visitors, without intrusive equipment and wiring built-ups over the greeneries. With the regulations in place, businesses can now be assured of the authorities’ commitment to TVWS tech, and be confident in rolling out innovative TVWS-based applications and solutions (e.g., machine-to-machine communications, smart metering, outdoor environment, security monitoring services). Consumers also stand to gain too from the various wireless services provided over TVWS, such as Wi-Fi at last-mile areas or difficult terrains.

Source: IDA.

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