14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft continues its efforts to help students around the world with affordable technology, this time by launching a special campaign in Tanzania.
Basically, the 4Afrika Initiative will bring cheaper Windows 8 hardware and services to University of Dar es Salaam students, as well as Internet access using a technology called TV white spaces.
“This is an innovative, tested and affordable method of providing wireless broadband by tapping into unused portions of wireless spectrum in the frequency bands generally used for television,” Microsoft explains.
Microsoft claims that many more universities will follow soon, but for the beginning, students at the Dar es Salaam in Tanzania will be the only ones provided with Microsoft products. UhuruOne, a local Internet service provider, will be allowed to distribute new Windows 8 software and devices to universities.
“UhuruOne is not only an Internet service provider — we are social entrepreneurs working to reduce the digital divide,” said Mihayo Wilmore, founding partner, UhuruOne.
“This project exemplifies our approach to connecting underserved populations. We are committed to increasing the affordability, accessibility and availability of broadband service in Tanzania and are pleased to be working with Microsoft and COSTECH in this critical effort.”
As far as Microsoft is concerned, the company is trying to bring Windows 8 laptops and tablets, applications and services to students and faculty members, even though it’s not yet clear when the company is planning to launch this new initiative.
“We anticipate that tens of thousands of Tanzanian students and faculty members will be able to take advantage of the wireless broadband packages offered by UhuruOne through the project,” said Dr. Hassan Mshinda, director general, COSTECH.
A similar program was launched in Kenya in February and thanks to an immense success recorded in the first months, the company is willing to bring the 4Afrika Initiative in even more countries by the end of the year.