Neul, the start-up planning on making use of the 'white space' between TV channels for wireless connectivity has received a funding boost of 8 million from investors including venture capital firm DFJ Esprit, IQ Capital and Cambridge Angels.
The firm aims to make use of unused television radio spectrum for wireless data communications, internet connectivity and machine-to-machine communications (M2M).
With the number of connected devices and data applications growing rapidly, and with mobile networks feeling the strain, we must find ways of satisfying the traffic demands of today and tomorrow.
The company's first product was revealed in June. NeulNET is the first radio system specifically designed to use TV white space which meets FCC/Ofcom regulations, allowing networks to operate legally within TV white space.
"White space delivers a huge amount of much-needed new capacity to meet the current and future needs of the M2M market. But it presents significant technical challenges," chief executive James Collier said last week.
"In order to utilise the enormous potential of white space, the industry needs low-cost radios based on an industry standard. NeulNET radios, built around the new Weightless standard deliver this."
Neul is hoping for success from the wide-ranging applications of its technology through an estimated 50 billion connected M2M devices. Examples of the use of this technology include local broadband delivery and the connection of "transportation and personal health devices."
Amongst Neul's projects are the trials announced this week as part of the Cambridge TV White Spaces Consortium - a group of interested parties investing in the M2M space.
Those involved include the BBC, BSkyB, BT, Microsoft,Nokia and Samsung.
"With the number of connected devices and data applications growing rapidly, and with mobile networks feeling the strain, we must find ways of satisfying the traffic demands of today and tomorrow," a statement issued by the consortium read.
"This trial will attempt to demonstrate that unused TV spectrum is well-placed to increase the UK's available mobile bandwidth, which is critical to effectively responding to the exponential growth in data-intensive services, while also enabling future innovation."
