Microsoft White Spaces Pilot Launch in Tanzania

In collaboration with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and Uhuru One, Miscrosoft Corporation has announced a TV White Spaces Pilot Project in Tanzania that will provide cost-friendly wireless broadband access to Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam university students and faculties.

This is the second TV white space project in East Africa after Kenya and the Microsoft pilot forms part of Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, a 70 million USD effort to bring connectivity, smart devices and technology training to African entrepreneurs, youth, developers and graduates.

The initial deployment of the pilot project will target University of Dar es Salaam amongst others, COSTECH Director General Dr Hassan Mshinda said “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 projects”.

Founding Partner of UhuruOne Mihayo Wilmore said “UhuruOne is not only an Internet service provider – we are social entrepreneurs working to reduce the digital divide. This project exemplifies our approach to connecting populations. We are committed to increase the affordability, accessibility and availability of broadband services in Tanzania and are pleased to be working with Microsoft and COSTECH in this critical effort”.

The Tanzanian pilot uses white space and solar power that are designed specifically for Microsoft for Africa Initiative, a new series of investments that will enable Tanzania’s economic development and improve its global competitiveness.