White space technology expected to be in use next year as regulator bids to tackle data demand surge

The term 'white space' refers to the gaps that exist between radio spectrum frequency bands that are already in use. Ofcom is inviting telecoms firms to participate in an autumn pilot to trial the exploitation of the white spaces between "airwaves reserved for digital terrestrial TV broadcasting" with a view to the technology coming into more widespread use from next year.

"The pilot will test the inter-operation of white spaces devices, white space databases and the processes to mitigate against causing any undue interference to current spectrum users," Ofcom said.

Consumers' demand for data-heavy services is growing as mobile internet becomes increasingly popular and accessible. Ofcom said that making use of 'white space' will help telecoms firms to meet this demand and avert an overloading of existing network capacity.

"Ofcom is preparing for a future where consumers’ demand for data services will experience huge growth," Ed Richards, Ofcom's chief executive, said in a statement. "This will be fuelled by smartphones, tablets and other new wireless applications. White space technology is one creative way that this demand can be met. We are aiming to facilitate this important innovation by working closely with industry."

Ofcom said that 'white space' is better suited for delivering data services than other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi because it relies on lower frequency radio waves that are "able to travel longer distances and more easily through walls".

The regulator has recently been involved in a number of projects to help free-up use of existing radio spectrum for the delivery of '4G' services and it has also outlined plans to free-up other frequency bands for as-yet-to-be-defined next-generation '5G' services.

The term '4G' is generally used to refer to mobile broadband services delivered using technologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMAX. LTE technical standards make more efficient use of radio spectrum, which makes them ideally suited for the high bandwidth data services including video streaming, social networking and GPS and mapping services used by smartphones and laptops.

"Spectrum itself is a limited resource that is in huge demand, driven by the explosion in smartphones, tablets and other wireless applications," Ofcom said. "White space devices offer a creative and efficient way to use spectrum that would otherwise lie fallow."