August 14, 2015
Vijayawada
Microsoft to work with AP on White Spaces
project
Global technology giant Microsoft will be working with Andhra Pradesh government on
a pilot project called the White Spaces Project in Srikakulam, a technology that uses
unused television spectrum to deliver low cost Internet connectivity. This is the first
time this technology is being implemented in India in Andhra Pradesh.
Anil Bhansali, managing director, Microsoft India R&D and Prashant Shukla, National
Technology Officer and other executives called on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu
in this regard.
Highlighting the potential of TV White Spaces, the Chief Minister said that the project
will help in the last-mile connectivity. Wifi has a range of only about 100 metres,
whereas the 200-300 MHz spectrum band available in the white space can reach up to
10 km.
The company has already conducted this project on pilot basis in countries such as
Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya and Singapore among others.
The Chief Minister, later, interacted over Skype from his camp office in Vijayawada with
students in Voppangi, Singupuram, Fareedapeta and Sativada.
Microsoft has also presented the cloud-based Machine Learning solution that they have
built in collaboration with the Department of Primary Education to help predict student
drop-outs. This technology has helped make required interventions in bringing down
the drop-out rates in schools.
This too is one of the first such initiatives by any State Government in India. Given this
experience, the Chief Minister believes that machine-learning has far reaching impact
for gathering insights and taking corrective actions in various sectors, and departments
of the Government.
As a technology-savvy Chief Minister, he sees the future in data-driven decision-making
and the use of cutting-edge technologies to enable better governance.