Enabling Affordable Internet Access with Dynamic Spectrum Management and Software Defined Radio
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
This project aims to investigate how the use of dynamic spectrum access (DSA) management and geo-location database technology, combined with software defined radio (SDR) implementations may be used to enable effective and efficient wireless networks to be built at scale in developing countries in order to support affordable Internet access using the shared spectrum resource. The project will seek to evolve DSA methods and techniques to generally improve this type of spectrum sharing service, and hence these improvements in the UK, will be fully shared and supported by our international ODA partners. The project will be led by the University of Strathclyde's Centre for White Space Communications (CWSC), working with international ODA university partners in Kenya, Zambia, Ghana & Malawi (further engaging with partners in their countries - both industry and regulators). There will also be support and input from a number of key industry partners including dynamic spectrum access database and cloud services partners: Nominet and Microsoft, production white space/DSP radio vendors, Adaptrum and 6Harmonics; UK SME internet service providers (ISPs) partners Cloudnet and Broadway Partners; and communication/ SDR software support from MathWorks, and FPGA hardware vendors Xilinx. All of the relationships and partners in this proposal are already pre-existing, trusted and in some cases very long term relationships, including previous and active Strathclyde links to partners in all four African countries. Figure 1 below illustrates the partners in this project.
CWSC and its collaborating partners have considerable expertise and experience in DSA management, and were instrumental in helping Ofcom as it progressed towards putting regulations in place for dynamic use of White Space spectrum in the TV band - regulations which went 'live' on 31st December 2015. The project will build upon previous work that has taken place in the four overseas countries, and will ultimately lead to benefits in the form of improved routes towards digital inclusion in those countries, and we anticipate followed later by 'ripple effect' to neighbouring or regional countries.
CWSC and its collaborating partners have considerable expertise and experience in DSA management, and were instrumental in helping Ofcom as it progressed towards putting regulations in place for dynamic use of White Space spectrum in the TV band - regulations which went 'live' on 31st December 2015. The project will build upon previous work that has taken place in the four overseas countries, and will ultimately lead to benefits in the form of improved routes towards digital inclusion in those countries, and we anticipate followed later by 'ripple effect' to neighbouring or regional countries.
Planned Impact
(1) Who might benefit from this research?
The beneficiaries of this research will primarily be individuals, companies, and organisations in the African countries of Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, and Ghana. These countries currently have low levels of access to the internet (the lowest is Malawi which has around 6% penetration, according to published statistics for 2016). This project aims to enable low cost, widely available wireless internet access through research into Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) and Software Defined Radio (SDR), including trial deployments.
Although the direct impact of the research will be in the named countries, the outcomes of the project could be exploited more widely via a roll-out to other African nations, and potentially also other developing nations further afield. Furthermore, secondary benefits can be enjoyed in the UK, by applying the lessons learned in DSA and SDR development in Africa, to networks for deployment in the UK.
(2) How might they benefit from this research?
The primary beneficiaries of the research, in developing countries in Africa, would enjoy considerable benefits from gaining affordable access to the internet using DSA techniques. They would be able to access the many internet-based services and sources of information that the developed world takes for granted, including practical information and advice about agriculture and health, business communications like email and online banking, government services, access to educational materials and scholarship, and generally the opportunity to be better connected to the rest of the world. The specific benefit of DSA is that fallow spectrum can be exploited, which would keep access speeds high and prices low.
The beneficiaries of this research will primarily be individuals, companies, and organisations in the African countries of Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, and Ghana. These countries currently have low levels of access to the internet (the lowest is Malawi which has around 6% penetration, according to published statistics for 2016). This project aims to enable low cost, widely available wireless internet access through research into Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) and Software Defined Radio (SDR), including trial deployments.
Although the direct impact of the research will be in the named countries, the outcomes of the project could be exploited more widely via a roll-out to other African nations, and potentially also other developing nations further afield. Furthermore, secondary benefits can be enjoyed in the UK, by applying the lessons learned in DSA and SDR development in Africa, to networks for deployment in the UK.
(2) How might they benefit from this research?
The primary beneficiaries of the research, in developing countries in Africa, would enjoy considerable benefits from gaining affordable access to the internet using DSA techniques. They would be able to access the many internet-based services and sources of information that the developed world takes for granted, including practical information and advice about agriculture and health, business communications like email and online banking, government services, access to educational materials and scholarship, and generally the opportunity to be better connected to the rest of the world. The specific benefit of DSA is that fallow spectrum can be exploited, which would keep access speeds high and prices low.
Organisations
- University of Strathclyde (Lead Research Organisation)
- Cisco Systems (Netherlands) (Collaboration)
- Nominet Trust (Collaboration)
- Ministry of Health (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF GHANA (Collaboration)
- Copperbelt University (Collaboration)
- Federated Wireless (Collaboration)
- STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- The Mathworks Ltd (Collaboration)
- Fairspectrum (Collaboration)
- Xilinx Corp (Collaboration)
- University of Malawi (Collaboration)
Publications
Tawachi Nyasulu,
(2023)
Dynamic Spectrum Access and Cognitive Radio
Atimati, E.
(2022)
An Interference Management System for a Shared Spectrum Access Network
Barlee K
(2021)
Rapid Prototyping and Validation of FS-FBMC Dynamic Spectrum Radio With Simulink and ZynqSDR
in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society
Crawford, D.
(2020)
Spectrum Sharing: The Next Frontier in Wireless Networks
Mu J
(2019)
A Self-Organized Dynamic Clustering Method and Its Multiple Access Mechanism for Multiple WBANs
in IEEE Internet of Things Journal
Description | The project was overall very successful and created excellent outputs for both the University of Strathclyde and partner academics in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia and Malawi. . Additionally we now have continued and on-going discussions and engagement with regulators in partner countries (MACRA in Malawi, ZICTA in Zambia, CAK in Kenya, and NCA in Ghana). We have trusted and close relationships with engineers and researchers at other partners, and in Dec 2018 ran a workshop at Strathclyde to further engage and partner forward. As part of this workshop we were able to share technologies, and indeed share some hardware for partners to use in their labs in their respective countries. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions our planned workshop in 2020 in Kenya did not progress. All four African partner countries (Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, and Zambia) have high proportions of their populations living in rural areas, and connectivity is generally low. Governments and regulators recognize this and are generally aware of the issues that it causes. To one degree or another, they have all explored options such as wireless technology and the use of TV White Space spectrum. Some have reached the point of having created draft regulations, but have not yet put them in place, however as above we are now in direct and supportive discussion on this. Others are still exploring options and are considering their next steps. As the project nears completion, we are pleased to be able to report that the Communications Authority (CAK, Kenya's telecommunications regulator) has now completed their TVWS regulations and which were prepared by a member of the Strathmore team working on this project. Subsequent to this release, CAK were given an award by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) for innovation in spectrum use and indeed made reference to our EPSRC project in a press release in November 2020. Furthermore, the Communications Authority colleague in question has now embarked on a PhD study course here at the University of Strathclyde, and will be splitting his time between Glasgow and Nairobi during the course of his studies. This is helping us to build upon and further strengthen our relationships with the Kenyan Regulator and other partners. We are also pleased to report that we are in discussion with the University of Ghana on a similar course of PhD study for a talented colleague at the University of Ghana, and we are in discussion with the University of Malawi about some specific further funding opportunities to take our work with them forward. We have learned that building relationships with partners, particularly those involved in Government and regulatory matters, takes time and persistence. They are cautious, in many ways much like our own Government departments here in the UK actually, and it takes time to build trust and credibility with them. The relationships that we have managed to build within this project are, we believe, significant achievements, and we intend to build upon them in the future. The partners in Africa have worked closely with their respective regulators and although the funding for the EPSRC project completed, we still continue to engage with all partners, and have plans for further projects. More recently we have opened dialog with other international partners on building private shared spectrum 5G networks, including new partners in New Zealand. |
Exploitation Route | The project is helping to support policy decisions at national level as well as the development of commercially viable implementation and deployment solutions. in the past 12 months our related work on 5G projects with Cisco and other new partners, we have made considerable progress in being able to roll-out private LTE dynamic shared spectrum networks. It is of note that the 'rural' connectivity problems in African partner countries are largely the same as in UK or other developed countries. In rural, there is no backhaul, no business models, and often no electrical power! However as we are demonstrating engineering, support from regulators, can circumvent this and bring people on-line. Our Kenya industry partner, Mawingu.org is demonstrating considerable success in bringing people on-line with a mix of TVWS, Wifi, and various backhauls, including satellite in some locations. We intend to build upon the learnings and the relationships developed during this project to extend our work in both the existing partner countries and in other countries. We have received enquiries from other countries, such as Nigeria and Mozambique, who are looking to engage, and currently we are in various levels of discussion with DFID on future support for deployment and further work. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Energy Environment Healthcare |
URL | https://ca.go.ke/authority-wins-global-award-for-innovative-spectrum-policies/ |
Description | Our GCRF partners are working and engaging directly with Communications Regulators in their own countries. Most notable in Kenya, CAK (Communications Authoirty Kenya) are now formally working on TVWS regulations. They have a formal MoU with our partner Strathmore University (in Kenya) to engage and collaborate forward on bring TVWS and databases to the Kenya market. We have also had discussions with ZICTA in Zambia who have made a formal link to Copperbelt University and in direct converation with Strathlclyde University also, on managing rules and regulations for dynamic spectrum access using TV WhiteSpace and other bands. Similary for Ghana (NCA) and MACRA (Malawi) our project partners in both countries have strong dialog with regulators. We wereplanning to hold an end-of project workshops in Q2 of 2020 and demonstration session for partners and regulators on software defined radio (SDR) and dynamic spectrum access for accessible internet access. Unfortunately this did not happen due to the Covid situation. In 2020 the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) announced new rules for shared spectrum access in TV White Space bands. In their announcements, and indeed as part of a subsequent award by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), CAK this EPSRC project collaboration with partners Strathclyde University (lead) and Kenya partner Strathmore University were specifically called out as contributors. Although not complete, in Ghana, the same process is progressing with their regulater, NCA and again the contributions of tihs project from Strathclyde University and University of Ghana are noted. More recently via the actvity of a new PhD student from Nigeria, and attracted to our research group based on the visiblity of this project work, we have progressed activity and some early partnerships with Nigerian colleagues at the Federal University of Technology around shared spectrum networks. In 2022 we evolved and extended our engineering output and with our spinout Neutral Wireless created a 5G Standalone radio which can be deployed virtually anywhere. As part of a project we joined with IBC.org we worked with broadcasters and other stakeholders and ran a project based on our radio that was titled "5G in the middle of nowhere". As part of this we demonstrated and build networks in Kenya, and in New Zealand (working with Maori) and additionally demonstrate pop and affordable networks in Ireland, UK and Denmark. The outputs and know-how being evolved demonstrate a very cost effective and viable solution alternative to the public MNOs for some use cases and communities. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education |
Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Advising national telecommunications regulators in our partner countries (Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, and Zambia) |
Geographic Reach | Africa |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Draft TVWS regulations have been created by project partner Strathmore University in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Kenya, and those are now undergoing ratification by CA. |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Description | Maori Spectrum Group, New Zealand |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Ofcom Local Licensing (Shared Spectrum Access for Mobile Technology) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/157884/enabling-wireless-innovation-through-loc... |
Description | Spectrum Sandbox for Shared Spectrum |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
Description | 5G New Thinking - Shared Spectrum Rural Network (5G-SSRN) |
Amount | £977,872 (GBP) |
Funding ID | DCMS-5G-Testbeds-and-Trials |
Organisation | Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2020 |
End | 04/2022 |
Description | 5GRuralFirst: Rural Coverage and Dynamic and Share Spectrum Access Testbed and Trial - Extension Funding |
Amount | £2,900,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | DCMS |
Organisation | Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | DCMS 5G Testbeds & Trials |
Amount | £4,300,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | DCMS 5GT&T |
Organisation | Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Next Generation Software Defined Radio Design and Implementation using FPGAs - 5G and more |
Amount | $500,000 (USD) |
Funding ID | Xilinx Inc, San Jose, USA |
Organisation | Xilinx Corp |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 02/2022 |
Description | Schlumberger Faculty for the Future: Research for TV White Space and Dynamic Shared Spectrum Methods |
Amount | £115,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Schlumberger Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Scotland 5G Centre |
Amount | £5,300,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Scotland |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | TUDOR: Towards Ubiquitous 3D Open Resilient Network |
Amount | £12,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2023 |
End | 01/2025 |
Description | Academia, industry, and government collaboration in Africa |
Organisation | Copperbelt University |
Country | Zambia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The project hinges on collaboration amongst several partners from academia, industry, and government. Collaborations with industry partners are ongoing, particularly with Nominet (UK), Mathworks (UK), and Xilinx (US), in order to address the various challenges that exist in connecting remote, rural communities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our African academic partners - the University of Ghana (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), Chancellor College (Malawi), and the Copperbelt University (Zambia) - have been working with the lead partner, the University of Strathclyde (UK), to engage with their respective national telecommunications regulators, and they have been conducting status surveys in their respective countries, which have helped to provide a clearer picture of connectivity within each country and the extent to which new techniques such as dynamic management of spectrum in the TV band are being considered by regulators and local telecommunications providers. |
Impact | These collaborative relationships are working well and we expect them to continue to strengthen as the project progresses. We have also been approached by a number regulators from other countries in Africa, requesting participation in the project, and we expect to report further on those in due course. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Academia, industry, and government collaboration in Africa |
Organisation | Nominet Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The project hinges on collaboration amongst several partners from academia, industry, and government. Collaborations with industry partners are ongoing, particularly with Nominet (UK), Mathworks (UK), and Xilinx (US), in order to address the various challenges that exist in connecting remote, rural communities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our African academic partners - the University of Ghana (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), Chancellor College (Malawi), and the Copperbelt University (Zambia) - have been working with the lead partner, the University of Strathclyde (UK), to engage with their respective national telecommunications regulators, and they have been conducting status surveys in their respective countries, which have helped to provide a clearer picture of connectivity within each country and the extent to which new techniques such as dynamic management of spectrum in the TV band are being considered by regulators and local telecommunications providers. |
Impact | These collaborative relationships are working well and we expect them to continue to strengthen as the project progresses. We have also been approached by a number regulators from other countries in Africa, requesting participation in the project, and we expect to report further on those in due course. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Academia, industry, and government collaboration in Africa |
Organisation | Strathmore University |
Country | Kenya |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The project hinges on collaboration amongst several partners from academia, industry, and government. Collaborations with industry partners are ongoing, particularly with Nominet (UK), Mathworks (UK), and Xilinx (US), in order to address the various challenges that exist in connecting remote, rural communities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our African academic partners - the University of Ghana (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), Chancellor College (Malawi), and the Copperbelt University (Zambia) - have been working with the lead partner, the University of Strathclyde (UK), to engage with their respective national telecommunications regulators, and they have been conducting status surveys in their respective countries, which have helped to provide a clearer picture of connectivity within each country and the extent to which new techniques such as dynamic management of spectrum in the TV band are being considered by regulators and local telecommunications providers. |
Impact | These collaborative relationships are working well and we expect them to continue to strengthen as the project progresses. We have also been approached by a number regulators from other countries in Africa, requesting participation in the project, and we expect to report further on those in due course. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Academia, industry, and government collaboration in Africa |
Organisation | The Mathworks Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The project hinges on collaboration amongst several partners from academia, industry, and government. Collaborations with industry partners are ongoing, particularly with Nominet (UK), Mathworks (UK), and Xilinx (US), in order to address the various challenges that exist in connecting remote, rural communities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our African academic partners - the University of Ghana (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), Chancellor College (Malawi), and the Copperbelt University (Zambia) - have been working with the lead partner, the University of Strathclyde (UK), to engage with their respective national telecommunications regulators, and they have been conducting status surveys in their respective countries, which have helped to provide a clearer picture of connectivity within each country and the extent to which new techniques such as dynamic management of spectrum in the TV band are being considered by regulators and local telecommunications providers. |
Impact | These collaborative relationships are working well and we expect them to continue to strengthen as the project progresses. We have also been approached by a number regulators from other countries in Africa, requesting participation in the project, and we expect to report further on those in due course. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Academia, industry, and government collaboration in Africa |
Organisation | University of Ghana |
Country | Ghana |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The project hinges on collaboration amongst several partners from academia, industry, and government. Collaborations with industry partners are ongoing, particularly with Nominet (UK), Mathworks (UK), and Xilinx (US), in order to address the various challenges that exist in connecting remote, rural communities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our African academic partners - the University of Ghana (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), Chancellor College (Malawi), and the Copperbelt University (Zambia) - have been working with the lead partner, the University of Strathclyde (UK), to engage with their respective national telecommunications regulators, and they have been conducting status surveys in their respective countries, which have helped to provide a clearer picture of connectivity within each country and the extent to which new techniques such as dynamic management of spectrum in the TV band are being considered by regulators and local telecommunications providers. |
Impact | These collaborative relationships are working well and we expect them to continue to strengthen as the project progresses. We have also been approached by a number regulators from other countries in Africa, requesting participation in the project, and we expect to report further on those in due course. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Academia, industry, and government collaboration in Africa |
Organisation | University of Malawi |
Country | Malawi |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The project hinges on collaboration amongst several partners from academia, industry, and government. Collaborations with industry partners are ongoing, particularly with Nominet (UK), Mathworks (UK), and Xilinx (US), in order to address the various challenges that exist in connecting remote, rural communities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our African academic partners - the University of Ghana (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), Chancellor College (Malawi), and the Copperbelt University (Zambia) - have been working with the lead partner, the University of Strathclyde (UK), to engage with their respective national telecommunications regulators, and they have been conducting status surveys in their respective countries, which have helped to provide a clearer picture of connectivity within each country and the extent to which new techniques such as dynamic management of spectrum in the TV band are being considered by regulators and local telecommunications providers. |
Impact | These collaborative relationships are working well and we expect them to continue to strengthen as the project progresses. We have also been approached by a number regulators from other countries in Africa, requesting participation in the project, and we expect to report further on those in due course. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Academia, industry, and government collaboration in Africa |
Organisation | Xilinx Corp |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The project hinges on collaboration amongst several partners from academia, industry, and government. Collaborations with industry partners are ongoing, particularly with Nominet (UK), Mathworks (UK), and Xilinx (US), in order to address the various challenges that exist in connecting remote, rural communities. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our African academic partners - the University of Ghana (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), Chancellor College (Malawi), and the Copperbelt University (Zambia) - have been working with the lead partner, the University of Strathclyde (UK), to engage with their respective national telecommunications regulators, and they have been conducting status surveys in their respective countries, which have helped to provide a clearer picture of connectivity within each country and the extent to which new techniques such as dynamic management of spectrum in the TV band are being considered by regulators and local telecommunications providers. |
Impact | These collaborative relationships are working well and we expect them to continue to strengthen as the project progresses. We have also been approached by a number regulators from other countries in Africa, requesting participation in the project, and we expect to report further on those in due course. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) Engagement |
Organisation | Government of Kenya |
Country | Kenya |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The Communciations Authority of Kenya (CAK) made a request for engage and join in the project. A partners workshop was run and CAK invited and attended in UK. |
Collaborator Contribution | CAK are now drafting new Dynamic Spectrum Access rules for Kenya and input and know-how from this project is being shared with these partners. |
Impact | Draft Regulations were produced by CAK for Dynamic Spectrum Access using TV White Spaces CAK supported the costs of a PhD researcher to register and work in partnership with the EPSRC |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Fairspectrum African White Space Database Development |
Organisation | Fairspectrum |
Country | Finland |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Fairspectrum Oy are an international spectrum database provider based in Finland, and are one of two spectrum database providers approved by Ofcom for use in the UK. The University of Strathclyde has worked with Fairspectrum on a number of dynamic spectrum TVWS projects in Scotland over several years, and we introduced them into the current EPSRC-supported project to work with Microsoft and the Communications Authority of Kenya to develop a TVWS spectrum database for Kenya. |
Collaborator Contribution | In this collaboration, Fairspectrum worked with the Communications Authority of Kenya to develop a spectrum database for use nationally within Kenya. |
Impact | An initial spectrum database has been developed, in alignment with the draft TVWS regulations that have been created by Strathmore University and the Communications Authority of Kenya under this current EPSRC-supported project. (The drafting of the TVWS regulations for Kenya is reported elsewhere on this form.) |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Federated Wireless Inc (USA) |
Organisation | Federated Wireless |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Federated Wireless are a global leader in Shared Spectrum and operate CBRS databases in the USA. We have engaged with Federated around our SDR work to partner forward for working on more general shared spectrum management software. We have provided knowledge on the progress of the UK and African markets in shared spectrum. |
Collaborator Contribution | We have provided know-how on SDR methods, and tier 1 hardware and software suppliers. |
Impact | Specifically we now have a joint grant with DCMS (Dept Digital Culture Media and Sport) on 5G New Thinking due to commence on 1st May 2020 and building on the know-how and outcomes of the EPSRC DSA project. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Open Networks Shared Spectrum Innovation and Design Environment Project |
Organisation | CISCO Systems |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Based on our know-how and ideas we proposed this project to DSIT and now funded for 18 months to progress an SDR (Software Defined Radio) enabled project to evolve new shared spectrum models for use in the UK. |
Collaborator Contribution | Innovating new models, and challenging the political dominace of the large MNOs and other communications providers, who are often of the opinion that specturm should not be shared in this way. Working with key tech companies to drive forward this open and demoncratic way of accessing spectrum. |
Impact | Running a joint DSIT Project and now partnering on deployment of private 5G and SDR enabled networks in the wider EU. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Title | Prviate LTE in TV White Space |
Description | We have researched and developed full private LTE networks running in TV White Space (TVWS) frequencies (470MHz to 790MHz). This means that we can set up private LTE networks in TVWS/UHF shared frequency bands. Simliar to UK our African partner have the same spectrum issues, i.e. spectrum is not licensed for use, and sharing not an established method (other than unlicenced, such as Wifi). Another key requirement for an new mobile/LTE network is devices or UEs (User Equipment) being available. Using strategic bands we have been able to show dynamic spectrum access with equipment sourced from countries using the TVWS for commercial deployment in the UK. As our African partners are adopting similar TVWS rules, this private LTE opportunity becomes available to them also and has been shared via a knowledge transfer partner conference/meeting in Dec 2018. |
Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | First UK implementation of private LTE using shared spectrum, and opportunity to share and knowledge transfer with our GCRF partners. Technical papers have been submitted and awaiting reviews. |
Company Name | Neutral Wireless |
Description | Neutral Wireless specializes in private 5G SA networks for broadcasting, providing optimized solutions for uplink camera traffic, live-to-air broadcasts, and other low-latency requirements. Additionally, they offer FPGA and SDR consultancy, tailored training courses, and private mobile networks. |
Year Established | 2018 |
Impact | The company became a full partner of the 5G New Thinking project which uses shared spectrum and software defined radio (SDR) strategies for low cost wireless/mobile connectivity. the 5G New Thinking project used extensive know-how from engineering staff working on the EPSRC project. The company also has built a relationship with two EU providers of software defined radios and supporting UK, African and EU companies in their deployments of these lower cost radios. Update - March 2023 - The company is active and has created live networks internationally in Kenya and with Maori in New Zealand using their shared spectrum aware from Feb 2022. The company has built a product, best described as a tier2 5G Standalone radio for private networks. |
Website | http://neutralwireless.com/ |
Description | Engagement with Ofcom and African Regulators |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | We have been engaging in various levels of discussion with Ofcom around 'shared spectrum' over a number of years; shared spectrum is the key driver of our GCRF project to enable affordable internet access. Via our efforts on this project in 2018 we have had meetings with Head of Spectrum Policy, and legal counsel at Ofcom, alongside other partners (Telint) to share our view and experience of shared spectrum strategies in the UK and introduced our endeavour in Africa with our GCRF partners. One key driver of our GCRF project is that in our four partner countries, the communications regulators in the locations (ZICTA in Zambia, MACRA in Malawi, CAK in Kenya and NCA in Ghana) often view the lead from Ofcom on policy and strategy. Ofcom has announced 4 major consultations on shared spectrum (closed 12th March 2019), and we have shared these with partners and African partner regulators as possible blueprints for managing shared spectrum in their countries. In Dec 2018 CAK in Kenya formally signed an MoU on TVWS shared spectrum with Strathmore, our Kenya academic partner, to formally explore the set of TVWS shared spectrum. Further via our partner/supporter, Microsoft, another Strathclyde partner, Fairspectrum is now engaging directly with Microsoft to support CAK in set up of a dynamic spectrum access database. We ran a workshop for all GCRF partners in Dec 2018, and invited representatives from all four regulators (MACRA, ZICTA, CAK and NCA) - all four engaged and participated in the event. A larger more targetted workshop with Ofcom invited is planned now for summer 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Engaging with the national telecommunications regulator in each of the four partner countries (Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The engagement activities referred to here relate to engagements with the national telecommunications regulator in each of our four partner countries (Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia). This has involved significant effort on the part of all academic partners in the project, with the result that the regulators' understanding and interest in the project have been steadily increasing, along with their desire to be actively involved in the project and to learn more about the benefits and deployment challenges associated with dynamic spectrum access. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Global Grand Challenges Summit 2019 London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | We set up a 'live' demonstration of a fully compliant 3GPP 'Software Defined Radio' release 15 5G LTE e Node B along with various UE and NB IoT CAT 1M/LTE M sensors We gave some demonstrations of using spectrum request from Ofcom's current Fair Spectrum TVWS data base with UE's streaming live 2K video in a 5 MHz FDD mode. This generated a lot of interest from various Commonwealth Countries which we're currently following up with, we also had the opportunity to demonstrate the system to Dr Mike Short of UKTI and have his subsequent support in engaging further with him in help us develop our spectrum sharing SDR platform for export to emerging economies, blah blah....... |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://epsrc.ukri.org/newsevents/news/global-grand-challenges-summit-engineering-in-an-unpredictabl... |
Description | New Zealand Interim Maori Spectrum Commission |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | We have been engaging with the New Zealand interim Maori Spectrum Commisson. Most recently the NZ Govt granted 20% of all current and future spectrum to the commission and over the last 6 months we have discussed, supported and advised this group based on our experience and know-how around private shared spectrum networks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |