Info Image

Microsoft, Agile Networks Tap TV White Space to Offer Broadband in Rural Ohio

Microsoft, Agile Networks Tap TV White Space to Offer Broadband in Rural Ohio Image Credit: Quality Stock Arts/Bigstockphoto.com

Agile Networks and Microsoft announced a new agreement to bring broadband internet access to 110,000 people in rural areas in Ohio over the next four years. 

Part of the Microsoft Airband Initiative, this partnership leverages Agile’s network of telecommunications infrastructure throughout the state and cutting-edge technology, including TV white spaces - the unused spectrum in the UHF television bands. 

Across Ohio, there are critical functions in need of reliable, high-speed connectivity, including medical clinics and rural hospitals, schools, oil and gas wells, agriculture operations, and households. By equipping its towers with innovative TV white spaces equipment, Agile’s efforts, in partnership with Microsoft, will enhance public safety interoperability across the state of Ohio, while providing competitive, affordable broadband access options to rural consumers and businesses, as well as turnkey solution sets tailored to fixed and mobile wireless carriers. As a result, this project will serve as a catalyst for economic development and rural broadband deployment in Ohio.

The Microsoft Airband Initiative is focused on bringing broadband coverage to rural Americans through commercial partnerships and investment in digital skills training for people in the newly connected communities. Proceeds from Airband connectivity projects will be reinvested into the program to expand broadband to more rural areas.

Kyle Quillen, Founder and CEO, Agile Networks
This partnership will have an impact on more than 900,000 people across the state of Ohio, of whom 110,000 completely lack access to broadband. 

Shalley McKenley, Head of Technology and Corporate Responsibility, Microsoft
Our partnership with Agile will help deliver broadband internet access to rural communities across Ohio so that they can take advantage of today’s and tomorrow’s opportunities and the latest cloud technologies.

Author

Ray is a news editor at The Fast Mode, bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in the wireless industry.

For tips and feedback, email Ray at ray.sharma(at)thefastmode.com, or reach him on LinkedIn @raysharma10, Facebook @1RaySharma

PREVIOUS POST

Mist, VeloCloud Partner to Enable Application Performance Assurance from WLAN to SD-WAN

NEXT POST

FRINX Offers OpenDaylight Distribution to SoftBank for Open Source NOS