MUMBAI, INDIA: Four unconnected campuses of a school in Andhra Pradesh have been connected by using white space technology

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 connectivity earlier.

With ZP High School at Voppangi as the base station, the other three campuses Singupuram, Fareedapeta and Sativada. were receivers located at distances of 10 kilometers or more from the base station.

Besides, Microsoft also deployed cloud-based machine learning solution it has 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.

The project:
Microsoft has worked with the Andhra Pradesh government on TV white spaces project to deliver low-cost Internet connectivity to users.

The technology:
The technology utilizes the unused space in terrestrial TV spectrum to provide cheap Internet connectivity to remote areas. It allocates unused bands to Internet broadband transmission while regular TV transmissions go on uninterrupted.

By doing this, it provides opportunities of wide coverage and cheap license-free access. Unlike Wi-Fi that propagates to a 100M radius, TV White Spaces propagate the signal to a radius of 10 kilometres or more.

“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 said.

Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India, said, “We believe white space technology 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 invested in India’s growth, and believe that such technologies can support the Government in realizing its vision for a Digital India.”

“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).

Courtesy: www.ciol.com

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