Abstract
Dynamic spectrum management is gradually becoming a viable approach for use by national regulatory authorities (NRAs) in administering usage of the radiofrequency spectrum. The concept has proven to be efficient in managing secondary access to television white spaces by permitting white space devices, under the control of geolocation databases. Kenya conducted its first white space trial in 2013 under a static model, which demonstrated the opportunity that could be harnessed in using the lower UHF band to provide broadband internet access in underserved areas, with no harmful interference to the digital terrestrial television service. In the subsequent years, the administration of Kenya permitted multiple trials, of various models, to build a case for adoption of dynamic spectrum access techniques in the UHF band and to drive deployments of white space devices. The Communications Authority of Kenya recently published a framework setting out key aspects for access to white spaces including the algorithms to determine coexistence parameters, that was modified off the dynamic spectrum alliance’s model rules. This paper presents an overview of the regulatory framework for use of TV white spaces in Kenya and compares it with other frameworks adopted by African countries and other selected countries globally. The paper further gives recommendations on the path to adoption and implementation of the dynamic spectrum management for national regulatory authorities in Africa.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Matinmikko, M., et al.: Overview and comparison of recent spectrum sharing approaches in regulation and research: from opportunistic unlicensed access towards licensed shared access. In: 2014 IEEE International Symposium on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks (DYSPAN), pp. 92–102. IEEE, McLean (2014). https://doi.org/10.1109/DySPAN.2014.6817783
Patil, K., Prasad, R., Souby, K.: A survey of worldwide spectrum occupancy measurement campaigns for cognitive radio. In: International Conference on Devices and Communications (ICDeCom), pp. 1–5. IEEE, Mesra (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/ICDECOM.2011.5738472
Cristian, G.: TV white spaces: managing spaces or better managing inefficiencies. In: Pietrosemoli, P., Zennaro, M. (eds.) TV White Spaces: A Pragmatic Approach (2013)
Kennedy, R., George, K., Vitalice, O., Okello-Odongo, W.: TV white spaces in Africa: trials and role in improving broadband access in Africa. In: AFRICON 2015, pp. 1–5. IEEE, Addis Ababa (2015). https://doi.org/10.1109/AFRCON.2015.7331920
Rural Broadband TVWS Trial in Laikipia County Kenya. https://docplayer.net/5987593-Rural-broadband-trials-laikipia-county-kenya-for-the-communications-authority-of-kenya.html. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
European Communications Commission (ECC): Light Licensing, Licence-Exempt And Commons. https://docdb.cept.org/download/87ccb237-fa9a/ECCREP132.PDF. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
Chen, V., Das, S., Zhu, L., Malyar, J., McCann, P.: Protocol to access white-space (PAWS) databases. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7545. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
Steven, S.: Studies on the Use of TV White Spaces in South Africa: recommendations and Learnings. http://www.tenet.ac.za/tvws/recommendations-and-learnings-from-the-cape-town-tv-white-spaces-trialF. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
Masonta, M.T., Kola, L.M., Lysko, A.A., Pieterse, L., Velempini, M.: Network performance analysis of the Limpopo TV white space (TVWS) trial network. In: AFRICON 2015, pp. 1–5. IEEE, Addis Ababa (2015). https://doi.org/10.1109/AFRCON.2015.7331923
Ndlovu, K., Mbero, Z.A., Kovarik, C.L., Patel, A.: Network performance analysis of the television white space (TVWS) connectivity for telemedicine: a case for Botswana. In: AFRICON 2017, pp. 542–547. IEEE, Cape Town (2017). https://doi.org/10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095539
Communication Authority of Kenya: Authorisation of the Use of TV White Spaces - Kenya. https://ca.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Authorisation-of-the-use-of-TV-White-Spaces-min.pdf. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
Nyasulu, T., Crawford, D.H., Mikeka, C.: Malawi’s TV white space regulations: a review and comparison with FCC and Ofcom regulations. In: 2018 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), pp. 1–6. IEEE, Barcelona (2018). https://doi.org/10.1109/WCNC.2018.8377175
ICASA: Regulations on the use of TV White Spaces - South Africa. https://www.icasa.org.za/legislation-and-regulations/regulations-on-the-use-of-television-white-spaces-2018. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
UCC: TV White Space Guidelines for Uganda. https://www.ucc.co.ug/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/TVWS-Guidelines-for-Consultation-9th-July-2018_v2.pdf. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
NCA: Guidelines for the Operation of Data Services using Television White Spaces (TVWS) in Ghana. https://www.nca.org.gh/assets/Uploads/Guidelines-for-TVWS-Data-Services.pdf. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
NCC: Draft Guidelines on the use of Television White Space (TVWS) in Nigeria. https://www.ncc.gov.ng/media-centre/public-notices/760-public-notice-draft-guidelines-on-the-use-of-television-white-space-tvws-in-nigeria. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
FCC: Amendment of Part 15 Rules for Unlicensed White Spaces Devices. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-24A1_Rcd.pdf. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
OFCOM: TV white spaces - approach to coexistence. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/white-space-coexistence. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
Chávez-Santiago, R., et al.: 5G: the convergence of wireless communications. Wirel. Pers. Commun. 83(3), 1617–1642 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-015-2467-2
Hossain, E., Niyato, D., Han Z.: Dynamic Spectrum Access and Management in Cognitive Radio Networkse. 1st edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2009). https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511609909
DSA Comments ET Docket No. 14–165 Petition for Rulemaking. http://dynamicspectrumalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DSA-Comments-ET-Docket-No.-14-165-Petition-for-Rulemaking-TVWS-Microsoft-Petition-Signed.pdf. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
Microsoft TV White Space Proposals to FCC. https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1050380945109/White%20Spaces%20Petition%20for%20Rulemaking%20(May%203%202019).pdf. Accessed 20 Oct 2020
Shi, L., Sung, K.W., Zander, J.: Secondary spectrum access in TV-bands with combined co-channel and adjacent channel interference constraints. In: 2012 IEEE International Symposium on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks (DYSPAN), pp. 452–460. IEEE, Bellevue (2012). https://doi.org/10.1109/DYSPAN.2012.6478169
Ruttik, K., Koufos, K., Jäntti, R.: Model for computing aggregate interference from secondary cellular network in presence of correlated shadow fading. In: 2011 IEEE 22nd International Symposium on Personal Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), pp. 433–437. IEEE, Toronto (2015). https://doi.org/10.1109/PIMRC.2011.6139998
Obregon, E., Shi, L., Ferrer, J., Zander, J.: A model for aggregate adjacent channel interference in TV white space. In: Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), pp. 1–5. IEEE, Yokohama (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/VETECS.2011.5956237
Ronoh, K.K., Kamucha, G., Omwansa, T.: Improved resource allocation for TV White Space network based on modified firefly algorithm. J. Comput. Inf. Technol. 26(3), 167–177 (2018). https://doi.org/10.20532/cit.2018.1004074
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering
About this paper
Cite this paper
Ronoh, K., Mabele, L., Sonoiya, D. (2021). TV White Spaces Regulatory Framework for Kenya: An Overview and Comparison with Other Regulations in Africa. In: Zitouni, R., Phokeer, A., Chavula, J., Elmokashfi, A., Gueye, A., Benamar, N. (eds) Towards new e-Infrastructure and e-Services for Developing Countries. AFRICOMM 2020. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 361. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70572-5_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70572-5_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-70571-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-70572-5
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)