Telecoms startup AfriCanopy is embarking on a R32-million fundraising programme, after securing approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) for an eight-month commercial trial of television white space (TVWS).

AfriCanopy aims to deploy high-speed low-cost broadband using its new telecommunications technology to the 85 000 residents of the King Cetshwayo municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as provide free Internet access to about 50 rural schools across the region.

The trial, scheduled to last eight months, is expected to start in the first quarter of 2019 following the fundraising, which is currently under way.

An AfriCanopy team is currently undertaking negotiations with both private and public backers, including the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Department.

“This is the first time that Icasa has authorised a company to begin a commercial trial with television white space devices, which holds out the promise of bringing Internet access to all,” says AfriCanopy founder and majority shareholder Samora Xorile.

The project will create 400 new jobs through a ‘business-in-a-box’ programme that will equip aspiring local entrepreneurs with solar power supplies, WiFi devices and TVWS equipment to enable them to sell airtime, data and cellular charging services to customers at much lower prices than currently available.

“AfriCanopy will provide this new cohort of telecommunications entrepreneurs with all the technical and business training needed to make a success of their new revenue-generating opportunities, which will, in turn, contribute to the economic wellbeing of the wider municipality,” says Xorile.

The TVWS technology uses the portions of the UHF terrestrial television spectrum that are not being used by broadcasters to transmit voice and data at cheaper rates, and over greater distances, than cellular frequencies.