Microsoft-AP to offer low-cost Internet connectivity

NEW DELHI: Global technology giant Microsoft is in talks with the Andhra Pradesh government to provide low-cost Internet connectivity to users.

Under the project, the company is planning to use TV White Spaces Project, a technology that uses unused TV spectrum, to provide cheap Internet connectivity to remote areas. This technology allocates unused bands to Internet broadband transmission while regular TV transmissions go on uninterrupted.

In a first-of-its-kind pilot, Microsoft, DOT, DEITY and ERNET are working with the government of Andhra Pradesh to bring low-cost broadband internet connectivity to four educational institutions in the district of Srikakulam which had no internet connectivity earlier.

Anil Bhansali, Managing Director, Microsoft India R&D and Prashant Shukla, National Technology Officer and other executives called on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss the company’s initiatives.

"As a proponent of technology, I have always experimented with technology to take services and welfare programs to people. With this pilot, Microsoft has shown that innovation and technology can make a society technologically advanced, eventually creating a knowledge-based economy,” the Chief Minister added.

Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India, said, “We have been a strong advocate of TV White Space technology and firmly believe it can be the affordable answer to last-mile connectivity challenges in India. Not only that, this technology can also be used during emergency or disaster scenarios. We are deeply invested in India’s growth, and we believe that technologies like TV White Spaces can truly support the Government in realizing its vision for a Digital India.”

The company has already conducted this project on pilot basis in countries such as Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya and Singapore among others.

Microsoft also presented the cloud-based Machine Learning solution that have been built in collaboration with the AP’s Department of Education to help predict student drop-outs. This is being implemented in Chittoor district as part of ‘Badi Pilustondi’ – flagship program of the government.

“This is a pioneering step undertaken by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Microsoft is happy to be supporting them. We believe machine-learning technology can enable both educators and students in making insightful decisions by analyzing large volumes of data in today’s new mobile-first, cloud-first world. It also offers the potential to transform the future of skilled workforce in India,” said Anil Bhansali, Managing Director, Microsoft India (R&D).