ICCN says TV Whitespace approval in S. Africa brings new access for rural areas

LOS ANGELES - July 3, 2021 - PRLog -- US-based ICC Networking (ICCNMSC) - Connecting rural communities to provide access to solutions and opportunities.

Unconnected rural areas will now have a viable means to connect to broadband services, following the approval and certification of a unique new TV white space wireless technology solution from Axiz.

After lengthy approvals processes, Axiz has announced the official CSIR and Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) certification of ICC Networking (ICCN/MSC) TV Whitespace (TVWS) UHF cognitive radio technology in South Africa.

The technology, the first of its kind RaptorXR TVWS patented design, operates in the UHF space (470MHz – 698MHz) and delivers technology beyond just RF dependability, but is also designed for carrier-grade reliability, enterprise control features and redundancy that reduce ongoing network support costs.

Uniquely in South Africa, this point to point system extends Layer 2 broadband connectivity through trees, vegetation or over water, at up to 40km per link. This means quick delivery and more affordable broadband services to remote areas where fibre connections have not been feasible due to the high cost of rolling out fibre.

As the only approved ICC Networking (ICCN/MSC) distributor in South Africa, Axiz worked with the American-based network O.E.M on the automatic spectrum registration to the R-GLSD (Reference Geo-Location Spectrum Database) developed and hosted by the CSIR of South Africa.

Says Nicole Naidoo, Business Development Manager: Advanced Technologies at Axiz: "TV white spaces technology has been in the pipeline for years now, as possibly one of the best ways to take Internet access to rural areas. We are thrilled to have achieved the necessary approvals and certification. We have been meeting many customers interested in taking the technology to market, and now we can move forward. Now ISPs can invest in getting networks into the rural areas they couldn't cover before."

Naidoo notes the technology will enable ISPs to take connectivity to government services in smaller centres, schools and clinics, isolated facilities such as mines, large farms seeking to harness IoT, and to residential communities where fibre is not available.

The impact will be significant, says Neil Jackson, Axiz's New Technologies business head. "Rural communities connected to urban hubs will in future have access to current information, education, services and job opportunities. Solutions such as this will help bridge the digital divide."

https://www.axiz.com/axiz-says-icasa-csir-approval-brings...