TV whitespaces are playing an
increasingly important role when it comes to providing broadband to
emerging market countries. The latest project to use the technology sees
Microsoft partner up with the Tanzania Commission for Science and
Technology (COSTECH) and UhuruOne to provide wireless broadband access
to university students and faculty in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
TV white spaces technology provides wireless broadband by tapping into
unused portions of wireless spectrum in the frequency bands generally
used for television. Although Africa has the highest growth rates in the
world for mobile broadband penetration, wireless broadband services
remain largely unaffordable throughout the region.
According to Microsoft, this pilot looks to improve that situation by
focusing on broadband access in the area of education, “an effort that
will increase digital literacy, teach technical skills, advance
e-learning and ultimately promote economic growth”.
The pilot’s initial deployment in Dar es Salaam will target the
University of Dar es Salaam, among others. “We anticipate that tens of
thousands of Tanzanian students and faculty members will be able to take
advantage of the wireless broadband packages offered by UhuruOne
through the project,” said Dr. Hassan Mshinda, director general,
COSTECH.
These packages, says Microsoft, will include a Windows 8 laptop or
tablet, wireless broadband connectivity, and applications and services.
Its partners are reportedly working with banks to offer small loans to
cover the cost of the packages.
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