Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Heads to Asia as Broadband Adoption Accelerates

The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), will place a spotlight on Southeast Asia at next month’s Global Summit (May 6-8, Manila, Philippines) as the region renews its efforts in spectrum innovation for broadband acceleration through several national ICT initiatives.

The Summit, which will be co-hosted by the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology ICT Office and the country’s Communication Regulator, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), has attracted extensive regional support at a time when the viability of dynamic spectrum access, including TV White Spaces (TVWS), has been proven in numerous trials across the ASEAN countries and with regulations already in place to enable TVWS use in one ASEAN country, Singapore.

This follows last months’ announcement from the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology regarding the use of TVWS technology as part of its Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project. TVWS was used to provide last mile connectivity in areas affected by the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda to provide wireless data connectivity to remote communities in the rural areas.

“The pace of development in Asia is incredibly encouraging, and in the Philippines, Free Wi-Fi, use of TVWS spectrum and ICT have been embraced in national plans for its socioeconomic growth, making it the perfect location to host our Global Summit,” said Prof. H Nwana, Executive Director of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance. “Recent developments demonstrate that broadband technology has never been more important for improving daily lives and societal needs, such as production, transportation, education, e-healthcare and even disaster management.”

The Global Summit boasts an impressive speaker line-up that includes key regulators from around the world, including USA, Africa, Latin America and Asia. This includes Ira Keltz, Deputy Chief, Office of Engineering & Technology (OET), FCC, USA; Hon. Louis N. Casam-bre, Executive Director, Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO), Republic of the Philippines; Edgardo R. Cabarios, Director, Regulation Branch, National Telecommunications Commission, Republic of the Philippines; Dr Martha Suárez Penaloza, PhD, Agencia Nacional del Espectro (ANE), Colombia; Thari G. Pheko, Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA); and Lloyd Momba, Director of Telecommunication, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).

A full list of the speakers can be found here: http://www.dynamicspectrumalliance.org/summit.html.

“With support from global regulators and representation from the technology and development sectors, this year’s Summit highlights the converging market as we look to continue to engage with regulators and government officials to promote the adoption of legal and regulatory frameworks that facilitate dynamic spectrum access in order to promote consumers and citizen benefits,” added Prof. Nwana.

“A real and immediate opportunity lies the use of fallow TVWS so we are working to promote dynamic spectrum access regulatory policies which will pave the way for innovative new wireless technologies, addressing growing wireless data challenges,” concluded Prof. Nwana.