Business opportunities using white space spectrum and cognitive radio for mobile broadband services

In this paper we consider business feasibility analysis of systems and services using cognitive radio and secondary use of spectrum. The approach is generally applicable to business analysis of services using “new” technology but the analysis is focused on cellular use of TV white space. The paper describes what can be learnt from history when mobile technologies have been introduced in the market. New services introduced by new actors are challenging since the market entrant need to invest in infrastructure and marketing and to build up a customer base. Hence the role and position of existing actors and services need to be considered. Promising business cases for mobile broadband services using cognitive radio and secondary spectrum access are presented for both wide area and local area systems. The difference between wide and local area network deployment and business are analysed providing implications for future local area wireless systems.