Posted on by Miguel Granier

Internet Access in the Developing World

With our interest in technology in emerging markets, we are always interested in new ideas to increase Internet access. Check out some of these innovative approaches to increasing the efficiency and scope of Internet access in the developing world.

The Small Brick-Shaped Device Can Help Get Millions of Africans Online by Adele Peters on Fast.Co Exist

Even in large cities in Africa, Internet access is difficult to find and often unreliable. However, the BRCK can help by working as a backup generator for the Internet in case of disconnection, failure, or electrical blackout. This device can run for up to 8 hours while working to find another Internet connection. The company is planning to work with a variety of users to support last-mile connectivity.

White Space, The Next Internet Disruption by Lyndsey Gilpin on TechRepublic

As a possible solution to the vast quantity of rural areas without Internet access, Carlson Wireless has developed RuralConnect. This system is based on the new, free form of broadband called White Space, which utilizes unused broadband frequencies to supply Internet access. White Space frequencies can travel up to 10 kilometers and is accessible to tablets, phones, and computers. While this technology is new and somewhat untested, it has a vast potential to increase Internet access in rural areas.

MWC 2014: Ericsson, GSMA, Join Facebook’s World Connection Crusade by Matthew Broersma on TechWeek Europe

Mark Zuckerberg was the keynote speaker at the GSMA’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last week. In addition to advocating for Facebook’s recent acquisition of mobile app, WhatsApp, he also promoted Facebook’s internet.org project. The goal of this project is to get “the next five billion Internet users” online. In this project Facebook has partnered with Ericsson as well as GSMA in order to maximize their leverage of mobile resources.

The Case For More Wi-Fi and Unlicensed Airwaves Just Got A Lot Stronger by Kevin Fitchard on GigaOm

This week President Obama and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) advocated for unlicensed spectrum that will boost the capacity of Wi-Fi networks. The FCC is attempting to create an open regulated environment that will make it easier to set up new spectrums, as well as share access with other users. The development of this precedent in the United States could encourage and lay the groundwork for countries in the developing world to follow suit.