UK consortium plans 'white space' mobile broadband trial

A Microsoft-led consortium is set to launch a technology trial using 'white space' spectrum in the UK in the week of 27 June, reports the Financial Times. Other consortium members include BT, British Sky Broadcasting and the BBC. They will examine how radio spectrum freed up by the digital TV switchover can be used for new mobile broadband networks. Microsoft has set up a trial mobile broadband network at its US headquarters using spectrum in the the frequency range reserved for digital TV. It hopes the UK trial in Cambridge will encourage other countries in Europe to adopt white space spectrum for mobile broadband networks. The trial will start on 29 June with a key aim of showing that using this spectrum for mobile broadband services will not interfere with TV transmissions.