16 reasons why TV white space (TVWS) bands within the 470–790 MHz, which are not utilized in certain regions by TV broadcasters, are ideal for deploying 4G/5G networks
We have around 320 MHz of spectrum in the TVWS band, which can be used to build top-notch high-capacity, wide-coverage 4G/5G cellular networks.
TV White Space (TVWS) refers to the unused or underutilized portions of the radio frequency spectrum within the 470–790 MHz that were originally allocated for analog television broadcasting by TV broadcasters .
These frequencies can be repurposed for other wireless communication technologies like 4G and 5G networks due to several advantages they offer:
Good Propagation Characteristics: Lower frequency bands, such as those within the TVWS range (470–790 MHz), have better propagation characteristics compared to higher frequency bands. They can travel over longer distances and penetrate obstacles like buildings and vegetation more effectively. This is particularly useful for providing coverage in rural and remote areas where building out traditional cellular infrastructure might be challenging.
Wide Coverage Area: Due to their better propagation, TVWS frequencies can cover larger geographic areas with fewer base stations. This makes them well-suited for providing cost-effective coverage in sparsely populated or underserved regions.
Reduced Infrastructure Costs: The wider coverage area means that fewer base stations are required to cover the same area compared to higher frequency bands. This can lead to reduced infrastructure costs for deploying and maintaining the network. Note that user density in the region to be covered is an important factor to consider while designing the network.
Spectrum Availability: In many regions, the TVWS frequencies are not fully utilized by TV broadcasters. As television transitions from analog to digital broadcasting, there's often unused spectrum left in between active channels. Leveraging this unused spectrum for wireless communication helps make efficient use of a valuable resource.
Dynamic Spectrum Access: TVWS spectrum can be managed dynamically. Cognitive radio technologies can be employed to sense the available spectrum and adjust the communication parameters accordingly. This helps in avoiding interference with licensed users and optimizing the use of available frequencies.
Broad Ecosystem Support: Regulatory bodies and standards organizations have been working to define rules and standards for utilizing TVWS spectrum for wireless communication. This includes establishing geolocation databases that keep track of available frequencies in different regions to ensure interference-free operation.
Mitigating Spectrum Crunch: As the demand for wireless data continues to grow with the proliferation of mobile devices and data-intensive applications, there's a need for additional spectrum resources. Repurposing TVWS spectrum can help alleviate the spectrum crunch and support the deployment of advanced wireless technologies like 4G and 5G.
Spectrum Efficiency: The lower frequency ranges in the TVWS bands have the potential to provide better spectrum efficiency with low power transmission to reach longer ranges. This means that a larger number of users can be accommodated within a given frequency range, which is particularly important in densely populated urban areas.
Indoor Coverage and IoT Applications: The good propagation characteristics of TVWS frequencies also make them suitable for indoor coverage, as the signals can better penetrate walls and obstacles. This is beneficial for Internet of Things (IoT) applications where devices may be located inside buildings or other challenging environments.
Range and Connectivity in Rural Areas: TVWS technology can be leveraged to extend wireless connectivity to remote and rural regions, which might not have easy access to traditional wired or cellular infrastructure. This can help bridge the digital divide by providing connectivity to underserved populations.
Emergency and Disaster Response: The wide coverage area of TVWS frequencies makes them valuable for emergency and disaster response scenarios. In such situations, when traditional communication networks might be compromised, TVWS-based networks can be quickly deployed to establish communication links and coordinate rescue efforts.
Support for Multimedia Content: TVWS bands offer sufficient bandwidth for carrying multimedia content, including high-quality video streaming, which is essential for modern applications and services, such as video conferencing, online entertainment, and remote education.
Regulatory Framework: Many countries are adopting regulatory frameworks to encourage the use of TVWS spectrum for wireless communication. These frameworks define rules for operating in TVWS bands, such as ensuring interference protection for incumbent users and promoting efficient spectrum sharing.
Spectral Congestion Alleviation: Traditional cellular bands, especially in urban areas, can suffer from congestion due to the high number of users and data demand. TVWS bands provide an opportunity to offload some of this traffic and reduce congestion on existing cellular networks.
Innovative Use Cases: The availability of TVWS frequencies has sparked innovation in various industries. For example, it's being explored for agricultural applications like smart farming, where sensors and remote monitoring systems can be deployed over large fields using TVWS technology.
Sustainable Connectivity: Utilizing unused TVWS frequencies contributes to sustainable use of spectrum resources. By repurposing existing bands instead of seeking new spectrum allocations, it helps in optimizing the use of the limited radio frequency spectrum available.
Having mentioned the above points, it's also important to note that while TVWS spectrum offers several benefits, there are also a few challenges to consider. Coexistence with existing TV broadcasters and other wireless systems, ensuring interference-free operation (interference mitigation), and regulatory considerations are some of the complexities that need to be addressed when deploying wireless networks in TVWS bands. In certain regions where TV bands are being used by broadcasters, the adoption of TVWS-based cellular networks requires collaboration between governments, telecommunication regulators, industry stakeholders, and technology providers to ensure successful and harmonious deployment. Finally, we leave you with a fantastic video prepared by Microsoft that shows the great advantages that can come with utilizing TV white space for providing internet connectivity.
Don’t forget to check our recent book titled “Build and Deploy 4G and 5G Networks Using Open-Source Software and General-Purpose, Off-the-Shelf Hardware“, which has recently been published and can now be ordered as a hard-copy from Amazon.
If you need consultation on helping you setup and deploy your 4G/5G network don’t hesitate to check out our consultation service at this link https://www.wislabi.com/consultations/4g5g-networks-consultations