Microsoft, AirJaldi expand broadband access in rural India; edge computing, IoT to follow
Microsoft and AirJaldi have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) called ‘Contentful Connectivity,’ intending to increase access to high-speed internet and connectivity in rural regions of India through collaboration with private, public and non-profit sectors.
The program will also build solutions for broadband adoption and, with the eventual addition of edge computing and IoT technologies, enable digital transformation for underserved communities.
“We believe access to the internet should be available to everyone and that digital skills create and enable economic prosperity for people, businesses and governments,” says the corporate vice president and deputy general counsel Antony Cook.
Under the agreement, the AirJaldi Networks program will expand to three new states over the next three years, increasing their locations from 40 to 62 and increasing their fiber network by 1,500 km, providing internet access to nearly 500,000.
AirJaldi Networks will also expand its wireless and wired infrastructure in nine states to increase connectivity access for underserved users. The networks will also utilize new technologies, approaches, and solutions to improve the quality and sustainability of services offered.
Microsoft will strengthen its courses in areas such as entrepreneurship for women and provide digital productivity, employability skills, and AI fluency skills training to 15,000 underserved community members in 12 states. The program will involve face-to-face training, online sessions, an LMS platform and a 24/7 help desk.
“Microsoft expects that this expanded access to the internet will also help these beneficiaries to enhance their digital productivity, AI and employability skills,” adds Cook.
They plan to create solutions that use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to improve connectivity in rural areas. Company executives say they will focus on networking, e-learning, skill building, telemedicine, agriculture, accessibility and the environment. For example, these technology improvements lay the groundwork for edge computing for services such as IoT monitoring in the agricultural field.
Further, AirJaldi Networks plans to expand its wireless and wired infrastructure over three years in nine states, provide skilling, education and entrepreneurship training to 15,000 underserved community members and build partnerships with government and corporate organizations for sustainment in three new states.
The companies also plan to develop partnerships with government and corporate organizations in three states to create networks in education, job skills, and female entrepreneurship.
“I am delighted and excited to sign this MoU with Microsoft India,” says Michael Ginguld, the director of strategy and operations at AirJaldi Networks. “I believe that the combination of connectivity, digital tools and digital skills are essential building blocks in ensuring the central role of internet connectivity in improving people’s lives.”
Article Topics
AirJaldi | broadband | IoT | Microsoft | Smart Ag | wireless
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