Niche opportunities to rule early whitespace economy
Based on a meeting between experts from across the wireless and broadcast industries including representatives from Nokia, Samsung, BBC, BSkyB, Neul and CSR, the report says it expects the first consumer technologies based on whitespace to hit the high street within five years.
The findings provide an insight into more specific applications of the radio spectrum vacated by television's digital switchover.
Cambridge Consultants says the report highlights a much broader potential for whitespace than just helping meet the increasing demand for mobile data on smartphones, presenting a solution for the 'always on' society.
The report says the first opportunities to be exploited will probably be in niche markets which are less dependent on multiple parties and require lower investment.
Revenue could come direct through data delivery or indirectly through advertising for example. Data revenue may suit certain geographies for applications such as rural broadband, whereas advertising could be more suitable for applications such as local content broadcasting.
One priority is to establish standards that would allow for common platforms, economies of scale and large scale uptake.
"Without standards White Space could be a footnote," says Fraser Edwards, head of Radio Frequency Systems at Cambridge Consultants, adding that" "effectively marshalled White Space has the potential to deliver even greater innovation and new services that we have seen in previously unlicensed spectrum such as WiFi and Bluetooth.
Specific opportunities highlighted:Micro or localised wireless internet service providers (WISP):
Supermarkets or local government operating in remote areas could potentially supply internet services and advertising to the local surrounding area.
Localised broadcasting:
For broadcasters there is interest in using White Space for interactive 'back-channel' applications and the delivery of highly localised content and advertising.
The 'Internet of Things':
Encompassing areas such as M2M, smart metering, and applications that require connectivity over a long-range but low data rate.
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