The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has appointed AdNotes Digital as a white-label commercial partner for its Spectrum Switch technology. The radio frequency spectrum is a critical and scarce natural resource required for the rolling-out of the national wireless ICT infrastructure. Hence, the efficient use of national spectrum resources plays an important role in bridging the digital divide for unserved and underserved communities.
On 13 November 2024, the CSIR and AdNotes Digital officially unveiled their partnership for Spectrum Switch. The unveiling to the global industry market took place at the Open Access XII Pan-African edition at the Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, with global industry decision-makers in attendance.
The new Spectrum Switch licensee, AdNotes Digital will offer daily services based on the CSIR-developed Secondary Geo-location Spectrum Database (S-GLSD) to all network operators. Spectrum Switch enables the delivery of fast and affordable connectivity solutions by harnessing the Television White Spaces (TVWS) spectrum. Furthermore, it empowers mobile network operators and wireless internet service providers to deploy 4G/5G and beyond fixed wireless access networks by seamlessly integrating with existing core networks.
The partnership with AdNotes Digital is to bring Spectrum Switch services closer to end-users. This initiative aligns with the CSIR’s mission to foster collaborative innovation and localise technology solutions that provide knowledge-driven support for the inclusive and sustainable progress of both industry and society.
Nathi Mbele, Executive Director of AdNotes Digital, said: “As telecoms markets move towards deployment of 5G networks and beyond in the face of increasing demand for accessible and affordable data-hungry applications and services, the launch of Spectrum Switch today is responding to the cry from telecommunications operators of all sizes and sectors to unlock affordable fixed wireless access broadband services available through the TVWS spectrum.”
The Spectrum Switch technology simplifies rural coverage expansion and supports the efficient deployment of enterprise and private networks, enabling connectivity where it is most needed. Prof Luzango Mfupe, CSIR principal researcher and technical lead, remarked: “The official unveiling will empower wireless network operators to reduce their total cost of ownership, ultimately benefiting society by lowering communication costs, which is key in achieving universal access for all citizens in line with the National Development Plan Vision 2030 and attaining the majority of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
Share
CSIR
The CSIR, an entity of the South African Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is one of Africa’s leading organisations in scientific and technology research, development and implementation. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development, to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za.
AdNotes Digital
Founded in 2016, AdNotes Digital has been a pioneer in spectrum-sharing technologies and has actively contributedtotheTelevisionWhiteSpacetrials,regulatorydevelopmentsandstandardisationinAfrica.We are a leading provider of cutting-edge technologies and the only licensee providing the geo-location database known as Spectrum Switch in South Africa. Our teams assist operators of all sizes and sectors with TVWS spectrum-sharing solutions.