Microsoft's 4Afrika initiative is aiming to increase broadband penetration in both developing and developed countries, the first of which will be in Kenya where white space network deployments will increase broadband subscribers by more than a factor of 11 this year, according to an IHS report.
Microsoft's developments in the white sapace segment are, in part, focused on helping urban and rural areas in developing nations expand their broadband provision. Through its 4Afrika initiative, Microsoft's white space deployments in Kenya, specifically, will increase the current broadband penetration during the next few months to 68,000 subscribers, up from 6,000 individuals.
The deployment in Kenya will be the first wide scale use of white space radio technology. IHS defines white space as the radio spectrum that has been left unused following the transition from analog to digital television -- i.e., the UHF and VHF bands. The transition from analog to digital has streamlined spectrum usage, leaving behind white space frequency bands, which are unlicensed and can effectively be used for any application.
"White space technology can offer a suitable means of rural broadband provision, particularly where traditional technologies such as cable or fiber cannot reach due to challenging terrain, or are not economically viable to implement," said Lisa Arrowsmith, associate director for connectivity at IHS. "Already, there have been some notable trials using white space radio spectrum to enable broadband provision in parts of America, Asia and Africa."
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