FG partners Microsoft to deepen internet connectivity, upskill 5 million Nigerians
The Federal Government has announced its partnership with Tech giant, Microsoft on a joint project for the roll out of high-speed Airband internet infrastructure across the country.
The announcement which was made by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo via his official Twitter handle further stated: “Our government is committed to leveraging innovation and technology to bring better outcomes across a wide area of governance concerns. This is the outcome of the discussions I held in January 2021 with the Microsoft Corporation President, Mr. Brad Smith. I am very pleased to see that within a very short time, we have moved from ideas to implementation.”
“The technology is cheaper and faster to deploy than fibre and has the added benefit of being able to travel long distances and through forested terrain.”
The Microsoft Airband leverages the broadcasting frequencies of Television Whites Space (TVWS) devices and other low-cost wireless technologies to make it easier and cheaper for people, especially those in rural and underserved communities, to access the internet and get connected to the digital economy.
Microsoft’s Airband team are expected to work closely with local partners to improve broadband connectivity in these communities while also assisting with the design and implementation of hyper-scale cloud services.
According to the Vice President, the government seeks to use cutting edge analytical and case management tools to plug holes in the public sector system and confront white-collar criminality efficiently while leveraging Microsoft’s technology tools.
“This pillar will also serve a vital social function by using Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence technology and resources to preserve and promote our major languages so we can revitalise these important aspects of our culture.
“Our focus is, of course, the Nigerian people. With over 80 million regular internet users, there is no question that Nigerians have fully embraced technology, the internet and their various uses,” he added.
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