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Need for TVWS Availability Quantification After
the Analogue TV Switch-Off
2021 International Conference on COMmunication Systems & NETworkS (COMSNETS) | 978-1-7281-9127-0/20/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/COMSNETS51098.2021.9352861
Steven Wandale1† , Gracian Taulo, Thesaurus Nammelo, Dereck Kondwani∗ , Patrick Musiyapo∗ and Chomora Mikeka
†
Department of Physics, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, P. O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi.
‡
Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority, 9 Salmin Amour Road, P. Bag 261, Blantyre, Malawi.
1
email: swandale@cc.ac.mw
Abstract—This paper explores the television white spaces
(TVWS) opportunities and availability in Malawi after analogue
switch-off to digital TV broadcasting. Prior TVWS availability
assessments and subsequent deployment of TVWS networks were
done in 2013 before the analogue switch-off, and ever since no
study has been conducted to assess the impact of the migration
on availability of TVWS for Affordable Internet Access (AIA).
Aided by the national digital TV band plan in the ultra-high
frequency (UHF) band and spectral measurement campaigns
data collected in various locations in areas of Eastern region
of Malawi, the study presents a thorough analysis of digital TV
band. The study quantifies that almost 82.2% of the UHF band
allocated for digital TV transmission is underutilized in a country
where 83% percent of the population has no access to the internet
due to poor internet infrastructures and high tariffs.
Index Terms—Affordable Internet Access1 , TV White Space,
Spectrum, Measurement Campaign, Africa.
I. I NTRODUCTION
Television white spaces are unused television (TV) channels
that exist in locations where successful TV reception is no
longer possible because it is not allocated to any particular
user or it is either not being used by licensed user or it is
not being used due to limited demand, and thus secondary
usage by a device can be permitted for various wireless
communication such as backhauling, broadband internet and
other broadband connectivity related applications [1-6]. This is
achieved through dynamic access of the spectrum using either
a geo-location database or spectrum sensing to coordinates the
operating frequency and the white space device (WSD) loca-
tion without causing interference to the primary or licensed
user [4-5].
In many countries, the TVWS exists in digital TV UHF
band located between 470 MHz to 700 MHz after the analogue
switch-off, and are attractive for broadband connectivity for
several reasons. Firstly, the digital TV signals has high penetra-
tion ability and long coverage range than Wi-Fi given the same
transmission power [4], [6]. Secondly, the long coverage range
of TV signals render the digital TV networks less costly to
establish as compared to other higher frequency networks such
as Wi-Fi network [4], [7]. Lastly, in most countries digital TV
services are underutilized in rural and suburban areas, hence,
1 The work was supported by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research
Council (EPSRC) under the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for White
Space Communications (CWSC).
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there are abandance of untapped TV channels which can be
purposed for broadband connectivity [4], [8]. As a result, this
wireless technology is not only a suitable means of connecting
remote communities but also offers the most hope for effective
bridging of the digital divide [1-15], [17-20].
The University of Malawi, Chancellor College in collabora-
tion with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority
(MACRA) and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics
in Trieste (ICTP) implemented a TVWS pilot project in 2013
[1]. A successful deployment of trial networks enabled afford-
able and reliable connectivity to a community clinic, secondary
school, an airport and a research facility in Zomba [2], a
city in the Eastern part of Malawi. Prior to the deployment
of trial networks, measurement campaigns to determine the
availbality of TVWS were conducted [1]. Refer to [2] for more
details on the performance assessment of the TVWS network.
The coming of digital TV broadcasting reshaped the usage
of the then barely used UHF band, and shrinks the size of
white spaces for successful deployment of TVWS networks as
witnessed in other Southern African countries which undergo
the analogue switch-off [1]-[6], [8]-[16]. However, since the
completion of transition to digital broadcasting and the end of
TVWS pilot projects in Malawi, no spectrum measurements
have been carried out to re-assess the remaining TVWS in
the UHF band after the switch-off. As such, it is imperative to
carry out a spectrum usage measurement campaign to generate
a precise amount of TVWS available.
This paper focuses on a spectral analysis of the UHF
digital TV band performed to obtain a precise spectrum
occupancy and availability of TVWS after digital migration in
Malawi. Through a carefully planned measurement campaign
performed at different locations in the Eastern part of Malawi
using low-cost spectral measurements tools and techniques, we
analyse the UHF spectrum occupancy and compare it with a
national digital TV plan to quantify the available TVWS. The
results show that almost 74% of the UHF band allocated for
digital TV broadcasting is underutilized, a promising results
for a successful deployment of TVWS network.
II. S URVEY OF TVWS IN S OUTHERN A FRICA
In this section, we briefly review the status of TVWS
availability and technologies in Southern African countries
of Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya and Botswana. These are
74
     
the countries in this region which have succesfully rolled-out
TVWS measuremt campaigns and TVWS network trails.
TVWS in Tanzania: Based on computer simulations, Ref
[3] claimed that almost 120 MHz (approx. 15 channels of 8
MHz each) are available as TV white spaces in Tanzania. The
results were later confirmed through a TVWS measurement
campaign where 184 MHz was found to be unused, repre-
senting almost 85% of the UHF spectrum band. The find-
ings motivated Microsoft 4Afrika initiative who implemented
a pilot TVWS project in collaboration with the Tanzania
Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and a
local internet service provider (ISP) −Uhuru One. The project
enhanced connection, and provides reliable and affordable
Internet access to students in Dares Salaam, Tanzania [4].
TVWS in South Africa: In South Africa, the first dig-
ital TV spectrum usage assessments were carried out by
the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa
(ICASA) in collaboration with Google, the Wireless Access
Providers Association (WAPA), the e-Schools Network, and
Carlson Wireless to provide evidence of viability of TVWS
[5]. Later, a TVWS trial project was adopted in ten schools
in Cape Town to provide a broadband Internet service [5]-
[6]. Over the years, various TVWS measurements have been
conducted across the country [7], and it is reported that almost
124 MHz remain unused and can be used by WSD [8].
Recently, Microsoft 4Afrika initiative in collaboration with the
University of Limpopo, the Network Builder, Multi-Source,
the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the
government implemented a TVWS project in Limpopo that
is providing low-cost wireless connectivity to five schools in
the region [6].
TVWS in Kenya: Microsoft supported by the Kenya’s
Ministry of Information and Communications, Indigo Tele-
com Ltd., and Adaptrum, launched it’s first pilot project in
February 2013 to provide affordable wireless access to under-
served places near Nanyuki and Kalema towns in Mawingu
[9]. The areas connected using TVWS include the Burguret
Dispensary (health care clinic), the Male Primary School,
the Male Secondary School, Gakawa Secondary School and
Laikipia District Community Library, and the network boasts
broadband internet connectivity between these institutions [9]-
[10]. Several TVWS trials has been rolled-out across the
country between 2013 and 2019 using Nominet geo-location
database and 6Harmonics equipments. So far, availability of
TVWS ranges from 184 MHz to 320 MHz in different regions
of the country [10]-[11].
TVWS in Botswana: Microsoft in collaboration with
Botswana Innovation Hub and support from Botswana Min-
istry of Health, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and
Technology and the Botswana Communications Regulatory
Authority (BOCRA), lauched a TVWS pilot project in March
2015 [11]. Known as Project Kgolagano, the project provides
internet connectivity and specialised telemedicine services to
local hospitals and clinics. It enables hospitals and clinics
in rural areas to share high-resolution patient photographs
with medical specialists in urban areas for a more accurate
75
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         !"
Fig. 1. TVWS measurement methodoly. (a) Signal path in the measurement
chain (from incident power Pi , through the antenna gain Gt and cable loss
Lc , to the signal measured by the instrument, Pr . (b) a low-cost spectrum
analyzer, RF explorer. (c) Experimental setup.
diagnosis. So far, no major TVWS measurement campaigns
have been done to quantify available TVWS in Botswana [12].
Remarks: The following can be claimed from the reviews
above: (a) deployments of TVWS network in Africa mainly
depend on the availability of vacant channels within the UHF
TV bands [1]-[12], and (b) the above studies on availability of
TVWS were limitated to each country’s usage and application.
As such, the findings from such investigations are not appli-
cable in Malawi. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the
potentials of TVWS in Malawi and quantify the availability
of TVWS spectrum for affordable internet access.
III. TVWS M EASUREMENTS C AMPAIGN IN M ALAWI
TVWS Measurements Tools: The received signal strength
(RSSI) measured by a spectrum analyzer as shown in Fig. 1
(a) can be defined as
Pr = Pi + Gt − Lc (1)
where Pi , Gt and Lc denote the incident power, antenna gain
and cable loss [13]. The incident power Pi onto the antenna
can be expressed as
Pi = v r + Q + L c (2)
where vr is the voltage
√ measured by the receiver in dB(μv/m),
Q = 20log10 (9.73 Gt ) dB is antenna factor expeesed in
terms of Gt . Therefore, using (2) any uncertainties in Pi
can be regarded as uncertainty in Gt , assuming that the
losses in cable and connectors are negligible [14-15]. Such a
simple measurement model is present in RF Explorer spectrum
analyzer where a whip antenna (antenna gain of 2.1 dBi)
is connected directly to the spectrum analyzer. Less RSSI
uncertainities coupled with low-cost and user friendly, RF-
Explorer becomes our choice spectrum analyzer (refer to Fig.
1 (b)).
TVWS Measurement Methodology: We performed a se-
ries of measurements around Zomba using low-cost mea-
surement setup comprised of an RF-Explorer, a laptop and
a GPS receiver was used. The RF-Explorer equiped with
an omnidirectional monopole antenna was connected to the
computer and the GPS receiver on the car bonnet as shown in
Fig. 1 (c).
               !"

TABLE I -50 -50

S PECTRUM M EASUREMENT S ITES IN Z OMBA
-60 -60
Site # Site name Location Geo-location

RSSI [dBm]

RSSI [dBm]
-70 -70
1 Chancellor college Urban -15.7602, 35.09645
-80 -80
2 Airwing Suburban -15.39304, 35.38619
3 Jali Rural -15.482136, 35.447648 -90 -90

4 Thondwe Rural -15.5, 35.235 -100 -100

5 Makoma Rural -15.5167, 35.2167 -110 -110
450 500 550 600 650 700 450 500 550 600 650 700
6 Magomero Rural -15.57694502, 35.18616848 Frequency [MHz] Frequency [MHz]
(a) Jali and Thondwe (Left/Right)
-50 -50

-60 -60

RSSI [dBm]

RSSI [dBm]
-70 -70

-80 -80

-90 -90

-100 -100

-110 -110
450 500 550 600 650 700 450 500 550 600 650 700
Frequency [MHz] Frequency [MHz]
(b) Magomero and Makoka (Left/Right)
-50 -50
RSSI [dBm] -60 -60

RSSI [dBm]
-70 -70

-80 -80

-90 -90

Fig. 2. Geo-location of planned measurement sites in Zomba. -100 -100

We planned six measurement sites, comprised of urban,
surban and rural locations as shown in Table I. Moreover,
Fig. 2 shows the geolocation of the measurements sites. At
each measurement site we measure the spectrum usage from
450 − 700 MHz, and log geolocation position (latitude and
longitude). The RF-Explorer was raised to a height of 2 m
above the ground at all sites and the measurements were
carried out during a single day.
IV. R ESULTS AND D ISCUSSION
Given a measured signal spectrum, it is imperative to know
what constitutes a TV signal and a noise [17]. The common
approach is to use either a nominal threshold minimum signal
strength for a TV broadcast coverage issued by Federal Com-
munications Commission (FCC) or local regulator, in this case,
MACRA, or an adaptive algorithm to detect a threshold value
based on the signal and noise distribution [17-19]. However,
in this work we assume a threshold value of γ=−80 dBm
as recommended by MACRA, a similar value is assumed in
[1-10], [15-20]. Therefore, any signal above γ constitutes a
signal, otherwise, it is considered as noise.
Figure 3 (a)-(c) show the measured spectrum in all six
locations. For clarity, the known digital TV transmitter in
this area is located at the peak of Zomba Plateau (marked
TX in Fig. 3) where channels 21, 29 and 42 (dotted vertical
lines) were allocated for digital TV broadcasting by MACRA
[16]. Moreover, Fig.3 (a)-(b) compare the measured spectrum
between the previous studies [1-2] (black curve) and this study
(bllue lines). We note that previously only channels 24, 37
and a section below channel 21 were being used. However,
-110 -110
450 500 550 600 650 700 450 500 550 600 650 700
Frequency [MHz] Frequency [MHz]
(c) Chancellor College and Airwing (Left/Right)
Fig. 3. Measured spectrum around Zomba city. The dotted vertical lines
denote allocated channels. The squares and the crosses represent active and
inactive channels respectively.
after the switch-off the usable channels become channel 21,
29 and 42 representing approximately 10.7% of the digital TV
UHF band in contrast to 7.1% usage reported in [2] before the
switch-off (ignoring the usage of a section below channel 21).
Moreover, not all assigned channels are operational, as
shown in Fig. 4 only one channel is being used. Peaks around
channels 38 and 39 can be attributed to unknown studio trans-
mitter links or military communications accounting for almost
7.1%. It should be noted that the availability of channels
varies with location. For instance, channel 21 is available
in locations near the transmitter i.e Airwing and Chancellor
college whereas channels 30, 34 and 35 are mostly available
around Magomero, Makoka and Thondwe areas. Originally,
channels 30, 34 and 35 were allocated for Blantyre, a city
located 27.6 km, 35.4 km and 37.8 km south of Magomero,
Makoka and Thondwe respectively. As such, the availability of
these channels is due to proximity and visibility of the three
areas to Mpingwe Hills where a transmitter for Blantyre is
located.
Assuming the pre-existence of the 7.1% and taking into
consideration the other three channels from Blantyre (almost
10.7%) while repurposing the unused assigned channels, this
shows that the TVWS dropped by 17.8% due to analogue
switch-off.

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