News
Tarana and Microsoft have announced a collaboration to deliver high-speed broadband to underserved communities in Africa.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
A partnership with Tarana promises to enhance Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, which seeks to close digital divides around the globe.
The collaboration between the two companies, announced Tuesday, will assist local service providers in rural parts of Africa, Tarana’s release stated.
Through the partnership, which supports the Airband program, both companies hope to address shortfalls regarding the accessibility of telecom equipment.
“Access to secure, affordable telecom equipment remains a major barrier to internet connectivity in Africa,” Tarana’s release explained. “Despite progress, high infrastructure costs and limited rural coverage have allowed the digital divide to persist.”
According to Tarana, the partnership with Microsoft will help lower the cost of Tarana’s next generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) broadband technology.
Tarana will also reportedly assist local providers with deployment logistics.
Vickie Robinson, a general manager of sustainability efforts at Microsoft, said access to affordable internet is essential to unlocking economic potential in Africa.
“By working with Tarana, we’re helping local operators overcome cost and deployment barriers so they can bring high-speed connectivity to the communities that need it most,” Robinson said.
Airband Initiative has clear impact in Africa
In some regions throughout Africa, less than 30 percent of the citizenry has access to reliable internet, according to Tarana.
The initiative operates under the premise that internet access is a fundamental human right, as detailed by Microsoft’s website.
So far, the program has helped over 51 million people gain internet access globally, according to Microsoft.
Along with Africa, Microsoft says their Airband Initiative has also been active addressing digital divides in the United States, where the program has helped 4 million people.
Among their impacts, in Kenya the initiative has worked with local partners to improve productivity and in Ghana the program has previously partnered with a Danish ISP to expand rural access.
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