Ofcom gives green light to White Space technology

Ofcom has announced it is progressing with plans to introduce White Space technology to the UK, which could improve rural broadband speeds.

The regulator has given the green light to the technology, which uses signals that can travel large distances and easily through walls.

It means consumers can enjoy broadband and Wi-Fi with up to twice the range of that being presently employed.

The technology works by searching for unused spaces on airwaves and uses them to transmit and receive wireless signals.

Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said that the regulator has been keen to use these gaps and believes homes and businesses will benefit from the move.

"The solution we have devised creates the opportunity to maximise the efficient use of spectrum and open the door to the development of a new and exciting range of consumer and business applications," he added.

A study conducted by the universities of Manchester and Cambridge recently revealed that graphene could be employed to boost broadband speeds in the UK.