Video highlights Microsoft’s efforts to bring affordable Internet access to Kenya via TV white spaces

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Published onOctober 3, 2016

published onOctober 3, 2016

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In an age of knowledge and information, the right to have access to internet is almost a basic human acknowledgement. However, as a new video from Microsoft points out, over half our global population still doesn’t have it. In many areas across the world, the idea of having broadband or WiFi is still just a vision for the future, one that Microsoft intends to help with the use of TV white space.

As opposed to standard WiFi connections that have a range of 600 feet, TVWS is created with the use of television channels. Connections can even be made up to 10 kilometers across land, over water, and through solid structures.

Laikipia County, Kenya is in the greater Nanyuki area with a 400,000 population. Deep in the heart of the country, mobile internet is nearly unaffordable. TV white space can change that by offering connection for only $3/month. This is also made possible with the use of databases in the Azure cloud.

Mawingu Solar Cyber cafe is one of the hubs that have kept the people in Laikipia County connected. It is a very small internet cafe that brings people together with the information that they need and deserve.

Since the implementation of TVWS as a reliable internet connection, 8,000 people have been connected. Another 200,000 is projected for the next three years according to IT Minister of Nanyuki John Vasco Akali.

The use of TV white space was also implemented in other areas of the world such as making hotspots in Filipino sari-sari stores. It’s been a few years since we first heard about Microsoft’s plans to tap into the forgotten stations. As knowledge reaches further across the globe, more countries are developing a presence on the internet. And that bodes well for both them and Microsoft in the future.

You can learn more about Mawingu and Microsoft’s other “cloud for global good” initiatives atnews.microsoft.com/cloudforgood.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

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Video highlights Microsoft’s efforts to bring affordable Internet access to Kenya via TV white spaces