Dynamic spectrum access comes to Asia

ENGLAND: Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) technologies and evolving spectrum regulations are underway in Asia, helping governments, businesses, and communities to make wireless broadband more widely available and affordable, and increasing the amount of spectrum to the benefit of consumers and businesses alike.

The viability of DSA including TV White Spaces (TVWS) has been proven in numerous trials across the globe, from remote villages, to dense urban centres.

This month witnessed Prof. H Nwana, Executive Director of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, tour the region, which kicked off with presentations by himself and EJ Chiang from MediaTek, a Dynamic Spectrum Alliance member, focused on utilizing spectrum’s full potential, at the Radio Spectrum Technology & Management Conference @ Wireless China Industry Summit in Beijing.

While in Asia, Prof. Nwana also held meetings with the  Chinese Academy of Telecom Research (CATR), State Radio Regulatory Commission (SRRC), Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (MIIT), State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), United States Information Technology Office (USITO) in Beijing, and Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and a group of Japanese companies interested in DSA.

Prof. H Nwana, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance's executive director, said: “DSA’s time has come in Asia. The pace of development in the region is incredibly encouraging so, by supporting and working together with regional Asian organisations, regulatory bodies and Governmental departments, we hope to continue to open up underused spectrum by advocating for new laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and effective spectrum utilisation and encouraging DSA pilot project initiatives.”

Recently, Asia has witnessed a flood of activity. In China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has already made significant advancements regarding management of its spectrum resources as it continues to go through a public consultation period on revising its radio spectrum management policies. In Singapore, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has developed a regulatory framework for unlicensed access to 180MHz of unused radio spectrum in the broadcast TV frequency bands which comes into effect in November 2014.

Elsewhere, the Taiwan Dynamic Spectrum Access Pilot Group continues to make good progress. The Pilot Group, which Prof. Nwana participated in the signing of, is working towards the creation and development of a world-leading dynamic spectrum access ecosystem in Taiwan. This will leverage Taiwan’s tremendous capabilities in semiconductor design and fabrication, component and devices manufacturing, and systems integration and solutions.