Over the years, Microsoft has pursued using TV White Space technology to bring low cost connection. The White Space signal sits on the 470MHz to 790MHz frequencies, a lower frequency than cellphone that sits unused in the television spectrum as it is a buffer for Wi-Fi connectivity. TV White Space has been successfully used in several regions, not least recently in Puerto Rico to help the island recover from a hurricane. Airband is trademarked as a service with two important uses. It is for “Computer hardware, software and software applications to provide internet connectivity services to white space telecommunications channels, networks and databases”
The solution can also be used for “Providing business information and consulting in the field of white space telecommunications and internet connectivity; promoting public interest and awareness of white space telecommunications and internet connectivity.” This seems to be something Microsoft is actively developing Airband as the trademark is from 16 Jan. 2018.
White Space Solution
Microsoft believes the White Space frequency can work in all countries to bring internet to out of reach locations. The company is pushing the FCC in the United States to approve using TV White Space. “We strongly support action at the FCC to ensure that enough TV white-spaces channels remain available for unlicensed use and hope the FCC will finalize commercially reasonable white-spaces rules soon so we can move ahead,” said Dave Heiner, VP of regulatory affairs at Microsoft at a committee hearing.
