Utilizing white space effectively
White space technology, a promising approach for providing wireless broadband coverage, machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, and addressing the digital divide, has been making strides in diverse geographic locations. This technology, which utilizes underutilized spectrum in the TV broadcast bands, has been the focus of various trials and developments over the past decade.
In February 2013, Neul unveiled a new transceiver chip based on the Weightless white space communications standard. According to William Webb, CTO of white space technology start-up Neul, this new chip is a vital first step towards widespread use of white space in M2M communications. The potential market for M2M communications could be huge, similar to Apple's App Store, Webb predicts.
The technology's low-frequency broadcast requirement makes it ideal for connecting devices and sensors with small, long-lasting batteries. Applications could range from Internet-connected dustbins to pregnancy test kits that upload their readings for further analysis.
One of the most notable trials took place on the Isle of Bute, Scotland from April 2011 to September 2012. The trial, conducted by the University of Strathclyde, the UK Technology Strategy Board, and a consortium of commercial providers including BT, tested a wireless network using white space devices. The trial proved the technical viability of using white space devices to provide broadband, with the Isle of Bute trial deemed a success.
Another trial in Cambridge city centre used white space technology to provide wireless broadband access to four pubs, a theatre, and exploited the technology's ability to support location-based services.
In the UK, communications watchdog Ofcom has opted for a mechanism where commercial providers will operate databases of white space usage and radio frequency licensing to prevent interference between devices. Ofcom is currently in the process of approving database providers to ensure that there is no possibility of devices 'spoofing' their location to use spectrum that is either licensed or occupied.
The use of white space technology is not limited to the UK. Microsoft has investigated the viability of solar-powered white space communications in Kenya, where 80% of the population has no access to reliable electricity or an Internet connection.
While no specific recent updates directly detail white space technology outcomes in 2025, the broader context of satellite and next-generation wireless network developments cast light on its current status and potential applications. The concept complements other evolving technologies like satellite broadband constellations and 6G, which aim to achieve global coverage including remote and mountainous regions.
By providing affordable and scalable wide-area connectivity, white space technology can bridge connectivity gaps in underserved communities globally. It is particularly valuable in geographies difficult for traditional telecom infrastructure—mountains, deserts, rural farming areas, and even maritime environments. The ongoing advancements in satellite-to-cellular systems that deliver robust mobile broadband further enhance efforts to close the digital divide alongside white space solutions.
In summary, while white space technology itself continues as a promising spectrum resource leveraged for wireless broadband and M2M communications to reduce the digital divide—especially in remote and rural areas—it operates alongside an evolving ecosystem of satellite broadband constellations and emerging 6G networks poised to deliver near-global seamless coverage and IoT connectivity in the coming years. These combined advances indicate a future where multiple complementary technologies, including white space, enable truly pervasive wireless infrastructure across diverse geographies.
Data-and-cloud-computing capabilities can be enhanced with the use of white space technology, as demonstrated by its potential to support M2M communications and IoT applications. This technology, with its ability to provide wireless broadband coverage in remote and rural areas, can help bridge the digital divide and facilitate data processing in these regions.
The integration of white space technology with emerging network technologies, such as satellite broadband constellations and 6G networks, can create an ecosystem that ensures seamless connectivity across diverse geographic locations, thereby enriching our data-and-cloud-computing landscape.
