TV whitespace tech using 470-582 MHz band will be key to bridging digital divide in India

The 470-582 MHz band will be key to bridging the digital divide in India, a country with more than 800 million people who are not connected to the Internet, 68% of which are living in rural areas, the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) said while welcoming the Indian Government’s move to issue eight experimental licenses in the 470-582 MHz band.

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The decision opens up opportunities for the use of sub-1GHz spectrum in India in either an unlicensed or lightly licensed fashion without the need for spectrum auctions, the body said.

“ These eight licenses will also bring a great deal of innovation to engender in India from native companies such as Bengaluru-based Saankhya Labs, who develop world-beating software defined radio chipsets covering this band,” said Prof. H Nwana, Executive Director of the DSA.

The Indian government has allocated 60 Mhz spectrum to ERNET- an autonomous body under the Telecom Ministry, 20 Mhz to power equipment maker BHELBSE 4.23 %, 10 Mhz or less each to IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Bangalore, Tata Advanced Systems and 10 Mhz to Collector and Magistrate at Amrawati.

The DSA said it supports the Indian Government’s decision in allowing sharing tests, typified by unlicensed (or lightly licensed) TV white space-type regulations, which are already adopted elsewhere in Region 3. ITU Region 3 includes Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The ITU Region 3, where the 470-582 MHz band allows for fixed, mobile and broadcasting services as competing “primary services” and allows other non-interfering uses on a “secondary basis.”