Microsoft tests 'super Wi-Fi' tech in AP village

Aimed at providing more access, more connectivity, the 'White Spaces' project aims to achieve the objective of last mile connectivity in remote villages

Software major Microsoft on Monday successfully tested its maiden pilot under the company's global 'White Spaces' project at a remote school in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh .

Aimed at providing more access, more connectivity, the project aims to achieve the objective of last mile connectivity in remote villages and it shares the objectives of the Union government's 'Digital India' initiative. Microsoft began work on the project in India this year, according to company sources. The Television White Space is often referred to as super Wi-Fi.

At the forefront of testing the Television White Space pilot in India, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella yesterday greeted the students of that school from a location in Kenya.

In a 26-second video grab, Nadella greeted a group of six girl students and a female teacher in Telugu saying, "Andariki namaskaram. meetho maatladadam naaku chaala santhoshamugaa undhi. Mee andharu baaga chadhivi payiki vastaarani naa aasha." (My greetings to all. I'm happy talking to you. I wish that all will study well and come up in life).

The TV White Space uses unutilised national resources for connectivity, and provides opportunities of wide coverage and cheap licence-free access. These are typically the vacant frequencies within the spectrum allotted to television broadcasting, having characteristics that make it highly desirable for wireless communications.

In Bhutan, Microsoft has partnered with Terabit, Bhutan Telecom and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to connect a remote health unit in the country to a well-connected hospital. Set up in February 2014, the TV White Space link connects the villagers to quality healthcare and ensures instant treatment in a cost effective way.

In Kenya, Microsoft Research has deployed solar-based cloud stations together with TV white spaces to deliver high-speed Internet access to areas currently lacking even basic electricity.

Microsoft hopes to implement similar pilots in east and southern Africa in future to explore the commercial feasibility of white space technologies, it said on its website.