Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has partnered with Redline Communications (TSX:RDL) on TV White Space technology for rural broadband. Redline, a provider of private wireless networks, will provide its Virtual Fiber radio technology in the TV White Space band to Microsoft Airband Initiative partners.
TV White Space technology uses broadband connections in UHF bands and is designed for challenging terrain and highly vegetated areas, and to protect broadcasters and other licensees from harmful interference.
The partnership is part of Microsoft's Airband Initiative, which which aims to extend Internet access to 2 million unserved people in rural America by 2022, using a mix of technology solutions, including TV White Space.
"Our work with Redline will increase the availability of competitively priced TV White Space technology, enabling Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide access to customers at an affordable price point," said Paul Garnett, senior director of the Microsoft Airband Initiative. "This availability and utilization of TV White Space is absolutely critical to closing the broadband gap. This partnership will bring rapid evolution to the technology, making a real impact on real lives."
"With its Virtual Fiber technology, Redline has been leading the TV White Space market and has been active in digital divide projects for almost a decade," said Rob Williams, CEO at Redline. "In discussions with Microsoft, we realized that we shared the same vision for approaching the rural broadband gap, and we each possessed critical components to the solution. This partnership with Microsoft will help us address the digital divide more effectively in the U.S. and around the world."