Microsoft wants to connect another 40 million global internet users

Microsoft’s Airband initiative is going international, with a newly formalized goal to get 40 million more people connected to the internet by July 2022. The program, which launched in 2017 with the goal of improving rural internet access across the US, is expanding to offer better internet access across Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

In America, Microsoft is relying on unused TV white space (TVWS) operating in the 600 MHz spectrum to offer broadband access to 3 million Americans. Internationally, however, Microsoft’s efforts will rely both on TVWS as well as other “innovative technologies.” The company aims to partner with local organizations to understand the specific needs of each area; working with governments to remove...

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