Redline Communications and Microsoft Corp.announced a new partnership that will help address the rural broadband gap using TV White Space technology.
Redline, a leader in private wireless networks, will provide its Virtual Fiber radio technology in the TV White Space band to Microsoft Airband Initiative partners. Together, Redline and Microsoft’s partnership will help make broadband internet more affordable and accessible to unserved and underserved customers in rural areas in the United States and globally.
TV White Space creates broadband connections in UHF bands and enables communication in challenging rural terrains and highly vegetated areas, all while protecting broadcasters and other licensees from harmful interference.
This partnership is part of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, which aims to close the broadband gap by extending access to 2 million unserved people in rural America by 2022, using a mix of technology solutions, including TV White Space.
In addition to the partnerships with companies like Redline, Microsoft’s Airband Initiative invests in partnerships with ISPs and other telecommunications companies, introduces innovative solutions for rural connectivity, and provides digital skills training for people in newly connected communities.
Paul Garnett, Senior Director of the Microsoft Airband Initiative
Our work with Redline will increase the availability of competitively priced TV White Space technology, enabling internet service providers (ISPs) to provide access to customers at an affordable price point. This availability and utilization of TV White Space is absolutely critical to closing the broadband gap.
Rob Williams, CEO, Redline
With its Virtual Fiber technology, Redline has been leading the TV White Space market and has been active in digital divide projects for almost a decade. This partnership with Microsoft will help us address the digital divide more effectively in the U.S. and around the world.
