Strategy Analytics: Faster White Space Ecosystem Expansion Needed for Internet Everywhere and M2M

BOSTON, May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- White Space spectrum use is moving forward in the US and UK markets but more work is needed to broaden the ecosystem, states Strategy Analytics.  Internet giants Google and Microsoft are driving the push for White Space to support affordable ubiquitous broadband connectivity to help them reach a larger potential market and extend their service portfolio, but participation by chipset and device leaders is lagging.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130207/NE56457LOGO-b )

The Strategy Analytics Wireless Networks and Platforms (WNP) service report, "White Space: Opening the Door to a New Spectrum Usage Paradigm," compares the regulatory policies of the FCC and OFCOM on White Space uses, and examines the market potential and eight possible deployment scenarios for White Space spectrum. The White Space spectrum will provide a cost effective approach for wireless broadband connectivity in rural areas and for machine-to-machine communications. Besides wireless broadband access in rural area and M2M communications, the TV White Space should also be viable for backhaul in thinly populated areas in developing markets, although the bandwidth availability and QoS are potentially significant barriers to widespread adoption.

"Both Microsoft and Google have been designated White Space database administrators by the FCC. Operating the database and the value added services over the database should create new prospects for both parties," noted Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Director Wireless Networks & Platforms. "In addition, through their operation of mobile device operating systems, Microsoft and Google have the opportunity to steer device technology in a direction beneficial to their White Space ambitions, so furthering the cause of TV White Space development."

"The Internet community is also driving the standardization of White Space. IEEE and IETF develop the standard for air interface and the interface between White Space devices and geolocation databases. Meanwhile the standard addressing the White Space solution for M2M is being developed by Weightless, an industry forum mainly backed by Neul, a startup company for White Space solutions," added Guang Yang, Senior Analyst. "To address the potential markets, the TV White Space community needs to speed up the development of the ecosystem, particularly to involve more big-name chipset and device players in the community."

The report also discusses the further evolution of spectrum management paradigm. Shared spectrum access models will be key to unlocking sufficient bandwidth for mobile broadband services in the long term. The Authorized Shared Access (ASA) or Licensed Shared Access (LSA) mode is more welcome by the traditional telecom community and already adopted by the FCC on the Citizens Broadband Service in 3.5GHz band.      

About Strategy Analytics

Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success. www.StrategyAnalytics.com 

Contact:

Susan Welsh de Grimaldo at +1 617 614 0724 email: [email protected] or

Guang Yang at +44 1908 423 662 email: [email protected]

Tags: White Space, Wireless Broadband Access, M2M, Google, Microsoft, Neul, FCC, OFCOM

SOURCE Strategy Analytics, Inc.