ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

TV White Space Database

Okay kiddo, let me explain what a TV white space database is. You know how your favorite TV shows have a certain channel number? For example, channel 5 shows your favorite cartoons. These channel numbers are actually frequencies that TV signals use to show programs on your TV.

Now, these frequencies that TV channels use are not used all the time. There are times when some frequencies are left unused, even when there is no TV show on them. This unused frequency is called "white space."

Now, these white spaces can be used for other things like Wi-Fi, radio communication, and other devices that need frequencies to work. But, they cannot be used without permission. Enter the TV white space database.

A TV white space database is like a map that shows which white spaces are free to use for other devices. It tells us which white spaces are available and which are reserved for TV programs.

So, whenever a device needs to use a white space frequency, it first checks the TV white space database to see which ones are available. Once it finds a white space that is free, it can use it without causing any interference to the TV signals or other devices.

And that's the TV white space database. It's like a big map that tells us which frequencies we can use and which we can't, so that everyone's devices can work without problems.