Page 8 - EngineerIt March 2021

TV SPACE

Adaptrum, Isizwe and Microsoft. Three and demonstrate the TVWS technology. The results of the trial were sufficiently successful
WAPA WISPS who supported the and it was cited by the USA’s regulator, the FCC, as proof that adjacent-channel operations
project are Airband (part of Herotel), were feasible, contrary to what had previously been thought.
Letaba and Mia Voice and Data. In 2014, the Meraka Institute conducted another trial in cooperation with Microsoft,
the Department of Science and Technology, the University of Limpopo and Multisource.
Promoting entrepreneurships Other African trials have since been run in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia
During the trial, many of the hotspots and Tanzania.
were installed in spaza shops creating A CSIR Meraka Institute team developed a Geolocation Spectrum Database (GLSD)
additional income by selling airtime. based on the Protocol to Access Space. The GLSD will be managed by ICASA and
“We see this as a great opportunity is expected to be available from1 April 2021. The CISR has agreed to manage the
to empower more people to become secondary GLSD which is from where WSIPS that have the necessary licences will be
hotspot hosts as another revenue allocated their channels.
stream. Using this open standard and a comprehensive database of existing licensed
transmitters, the GLSD is able to accurately forecast the presence of commercial signals
The story of TVWS in SA at specific locations, thereby avoiding much of the potential for interference. n
South Africa has been a driving
force in TVWS since its early stages
and is the first country in Africa to
have published a TVWS regulatory
framework. Encompassing an
unreached population of over 20
million people in hard-to-reach terrain
makes SA an ideal test location for a
solution that scales affordably.
The September 2016 issue of IEEE
Spectrum carried an article entitled
“Bridging Africa’s Broadband Divide”,
in which authors David Johnson and
Chomora Mikeka outlined trials in
Cape Town and Malawi.
The trial in Cape Town broke
new ground by using channels
adjacent to those being used
for live broadcasts, something
that ran contrary to practice in
most countries. Nevertheless, no
reported interference to existing
services resulted. The trial was
mostly conducted by the Council for From left: Jacob Flewelling (USTDA), Hala Rharrit (US Durban Consulate), Paul Colmer
Scientific and Industrial Research (WAPA) and Timothy Driessel, (Mia Voice and Data).
(CSIR), using manual analysis
because the Geolocation Spectrum
Database (GLSD) was not ready at WAPA, established in 2006, is a non-profit trade association acting as a
the time.
Since about 2010, the CSIR collective voice for the wireless industry. Its primary objective is to promote
the growth of the wireless industry by facilitating self-regulation, promoting
Meraka Institute had been working
with ICASA, Sentech and others, best practice and educating both members and the market about new wireless
punting the merits of space systems. technologies and business models. WAPA offers its members regulatory advice,
The Meraka Institute developed a technical training, a code of conduct, a forum for knowledge sharing and
sensing technology demonstrator to business enablement opportunities.
show the feasibility of the approach. WAPA is positioned to be an interface between the government regulator
In 2011, Google approached ICASA (ICASA), network operators, service providers, and consumers. It regularly makes
about implementing space systems. submissions and presentations to the government on regulations affecting the
ICASA introduced them to the Meraka
Institute, knowing that the required wireless industry. WAPA is tirelessly lobbying for more progressive and efficient
capability was available locally. spectrum management in South Africa and is focusing on the possibilities of
The Cape Town trial was the TVWS spectrum for interference-free access.
culmination of this process, in which
the Meraka Institute cooperated with For more information point your browser to www.wapa.org.za
Google and other partners to develop

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