TV white spaces pilot project commissioned

In an aim to provide rural communities with internet connections at affordable cost using the identified gaps (White Spaces) in the TV UHF Band, a television white spaces (TVWS) pilot project is being run by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and the University of Malawi, reports Rapid TV News and AllAfrica.

The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Brown Mpinganjira, said for the pilot project to be successful there is need for all players in the ICT to work together with an aim of achieving desired results.

"This project is a realisation of the commitment by the government of Malawi to promote universal access to ICT services by creating an environment that is conducive for joint ventures between the public and private sector through arrangements such as Public Private Partnership," he said.

Other countries that are also piloting on the similar project include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Kenya.

In Malawi, the project is being piloted at St Marys Secondary school, Malawi Defence Force Airwing, Pirimiti Rural Hospital and the Geological Survey Department.