I recently learned about white spaces, which are unused, unlicensed and free television broadcasting frequencies that can be used for wireless internet access. The ed tech news story that caught my eye last week and started my investigation was CNN’s “Microsoft beams Internet into Africa – using TV ‘white spaces’.”
Since then, I’ve come across several references to white spaces in the news, such as yesterday’s “BT, Microsoft and Google to take part in UK ‘white space’ trial” and “New ‘white spaces’ research from Microsoft and China makes it easier to find vacant spectrum.” It is being explored in places including Singapore, West Virginia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
Obviously, having stable and free internet access in areas of the world that lack even reliable electricity has powerful implications for education. As pointed out in eLearning Africa’s “Harnessing TV White Spaces for Learning,” students’ ability to access the internet opens up new avenues for learning in regions that might not otherwise have enough teachers or classrooms – they can learn on their own through the vast amount of open educational content available, or join a more traditional class streamed live online.
Microsoft and Google are pioneering white space trials for use in education, mostly in Africa. In 2013, Microsoft’s 4Afrika white spaces project tested white spaces at schools in Kenya, Tanzania and Singapore, while Google sponsored a white space trial in 10 schools in Cape Town, South Africa. Microsoft also provided additional technology such as tablets, software and solar panels for charging devices, as well as teacher training for their trial in Limpopo, South Africa. Other companies have trialled it in schools in other areas, such as Dell in Virginia (with Microsoft) and Carlson Wireless (with other partners) in Malawi.
Could this be the technology in shining armor that gets impoverished and rural parts of the world online? There is certainly a lot of excitement and press about it, but also some valid criticisms, including short transmitting ranges, lack of white space-accessible devices, congestion on shared networks, and the huge infrastructure investments it will require. Will the hunger of for-profit corporations for more bandwidth for smartphones, smart cars, smart grids and smart cities just leave poor students behind again? Definitely a development to keep an eye on.
Ed Tech: A Global Exploration 