The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) are working on developing technologies that operate in white space.
The two organisations will research unlicensed spectrum tech that can operate within unused TV channels in VHF and UHF spectrum.
The WBA and DSA will additionally co-develop guidelines for interoperability and for “promoting the usage of unlicensed wireless technologies at both technical and regulatory level”.
Shrikant Shenwai, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said: “The growing appetite for data, both for consumer use and, increasingly, in voice and IoT deployments, means that innovative solutions need to be explored to maximise the efficiency of wireless spectrum use.
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“The work undertaken by the WBA and the DSA will expedite the availability of a new generation of Internet access. With the collective strengths of our combined memberships, this partnership can act as a positive force for the development of – and innovation in – unlicensed.”
The organisations said technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ZigBee, all of which operate in unlicensed bands, have enabled new services and business deployments across multiple industries.
H Nwana, Executive Director of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, added that Wi-Fi in particular was “invaluable” to connecting the remaining four billion of the world’s population.
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Nwana said: “The partnership between the DSA and the WBA symbolises the true commitment we jointly hold to educate and promote the development and expansion of unlicensed wireless technologies to new non-traditional markets.
“This work will support governments with their economic growth and enable a new wave of startups to bring innovations in the unlicensed wireless ecosystem to the top of the agenda.”