Microsoft pushes rural broadband initiative with new RADWIN partnership

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Microsoft has long been pushing for the use of TV White Space technology in order to bring broadband to those who live in rural areas across the world. In the latest win for this initiative, Microsoft is now pairing up with RADWIN.

For those unfamiliar, RADWIN is a world leader in delivering high-performance broadband wireless access solutions. TV White Space is also known as the unused areas of the broadcasting spectrum.

As part of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, the company has been pushing for the use of this tech to bring internet to areas far out from big cities. They now hope that their partnership with RADWIN will further help in making broadband more affordable and accessible to customers in the rural U.S. and around the world.

The partnership will also see more innovative technologies introduced into the TV White Space market. According to Paul Garnett, the senior director of the Microsoft Airband Initiative:

“The TV White Space radio ecosystem is rapidly growing, and we are excited to work with RADWIN to bring innovative technologies to market at a global scale…Our partnership with RADWIN, a recognized global leader in fixed wireless broadband access, will help address the rural broadband gap for residents and businesses, enabling farmers, healthcare professionals, educators, business leaders and others to fully participate in the digital economy”

Microsoft already has invested in partnerships with multiple ISPs under their Airband initiative. The company also promotes digital skills training for people in newly connected communities. There are hopes for the new TV White Space tech developed under RADWIN to come to these partners during the second half of 2019.