MANILA, Philippines – While Microsoft is working on providing TV White Space Internet connectivity in Kenya, Google announced on Monday, March 25, that it would perform trials for TV White Spaces in Cape Town, South Africa.

Google announced on its Google Africa blog that it would perform White Space trials in 10 schools around Cape Town to prove to local broadcasters that TV White Space Internet technology does not interefere with television channels.

TV White Space technology attempts to harness the unused channels in the television spectrum to allow for wireless broadband Internet connectivity. Due to the way in which wireless transmission works, Internet connectivity in this manner can be maintained without the need for expensive installations of wiring, yet provide good service.

According to the Google announcement, “The service will be broadcast from three base stations located at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in Tygerberg, Cape Town.”

Google will use its own spectrum database to determine white space availability. The CSIR Meraka Institute will take the spectrum measurements and report these to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and the local broadcasters to check the viability of White Space connectivity.

If Google’s tests prove to be successful, it could usher in better connectivity and new opportunities for people in Cape Town, as well as increased adoption in other parts of the world, such as the Philippines. – Rappler.com