Ofcom to pilot 'white space' radio spectrum in advance of 2014 roll-out

'White space' radio spectrum to be released for commercial data usage.

'White space' radio spectrum will be in commercial use some time next year following a pilot trial in the autumn.

That is the aim of telecoms regulator Ofcom in what will be the first use of the technology in Europe.

White space technology uses gaps in the radio spectrum, called 'white spaces', which exist in between frequency bands. The aim is to make best use of a rapidly dwindling resource.

Telecoms companies will be among the first to use the freed spectrum to add extra data capacity to their services, using white space freed up from digital terrestrial television broadcasting.

"The pilot will test the interoperation of white spaces devices, white space databases and the processes to mitigate against causing any undue interference to current spectrum users," said Ofcom in a statement announcing the plans.

"Ofcom is preparing for a future where consumers' demand for data services will experience huge growth," said Ofcom CEO Ed Richards. "This will be fuelled by smartphones, tablets and other new wireless applications. White space technology is one creative way that this demand can be met. We are aiming to facilitate this important innovation by working closely with industry."

The pilot follows a consultation paper published in November last year.

Ofcom said that, compared with other forms of wireless technologies, such as regular Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the radio waves used by white space devices will be able to travel longer distances and more easily through walls. This is because they would use the lower frequencies that have traditionally been reserved for television.

Under Ofcom's plans, a television 'white space device' will not be able to start transmitting until it gets clearance from a database qualified by Ofcom and listed on a dedicated Ofcom website.

This database will provide updated information on where the TV white spaces are and the power level that devices would need to be restricted to if they wanted to use them. This will help ensure there is no undue interference with the existing spectrum users.