Microsoft plans to
provide free Internet
across India using ‘white space’ TV spectrum
Microsoft CEO Satya
Nadella in this photo. Image: AP
Microsoft has
announced its plans to bring Internet connectivity across the country
completely free of cost.
As revealed to Hindustan Times, Microsoft has proposed to make
use of the “white space” or the unused spectrum between two TV channels, to
make Internet connectivity to a vast population an economically-viable
solution.
Unlike Wi-Fi, which
has a range of only about 100 metres, the 200-300 MHz spectrum in the white
space can reach up to 10 km. This spectrum currently belongs to the
government-owned Doordarshan TV channel and is not used at all.
This solution
addresses the key hurdle in setting up Internet connectivity across remote
areas in the country: the lack of digital infrastructure. According to
Microsoft India’s chief, Bhaskar Pramanik, the initiative will help bring
Internet accessible to a vast population a cost-effective manner. It will
create an eco-system that will benefit other technology service providers,
including manufacturers of routers, and not just Microsoft.
Microsoft is seeking
permission to kick-start the project in two major districts as of now.
The initiative seems
to have come right in time when PM Narendra Modi has announced his Digital
India project. The project that would cost $1.2 billion aims to connect 250,000
gram panchayats in order to make Internet connectivity accessible to every part
of the country. The project has garnered the interest of several tech giants,
including Facebook and Microsoft, who have shown their willingness to offer
support to make it a reality.
