RADWIN and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are partnering to provide rural broadband via fixed wireless and TV White Space technologies.
The partnership is part of Microsoft's Airband Initiative, which aims to expand broadband coverage using a mixture of technologies including TV White Space. TV White Space uses UHF bands to enable communication in challenging rural terrain and highly vegetated areas, while protecting broadcasters and other licensees from harmful interference.
"The TV White Space radio ecosystem is rapidly growing, and we are excited to work with RADWIN to bring innovative technologies to market at a global scale," said Paul Garnett, senior director of the Microsoft Airband Initiative. "Our partnership with RADWIN, a recognized global leader in fixed wireless broadband access, will help address the rural broadband gap for residents and businesses, enabling farmers, healthcare professionals, educators, business leaders and others to fully participate in the digital economy."
"RADWIN is a leading provider of broadband access solutions, enabling service providers globally to connect unserved and underserved homes and businesses," said Sharon Sher, RADWIN's president and CEO. "We are therefore very excited to be Microsoft's partner in leading a global effort to connect rural communities and grow the TVWS ecosystem in the U.S. and around the world. The addition of innovative TV White Space solutions to RADWIN's portfolio, which complements our sub-6 GHz and mmWave fixed wireless offering, would enable our service provider customers and partners to extend their footprint by connecting more remote subscribers in challenging deployment use cases, penetrating through terrain obstructions and vegetation, and therefore helping to close the digital divide."
In addition to the partnerships with technology vendors like RADWIN, Microsoft's Airband Initiative partners with Internet service providers (ISPs) and other telecommunications companies, introduces solutions for rural connectivity, and provides digital skills training for people in newly connected communities. Other ISPs that are participating in the Airband Initiative include Declaration Networks Group and Packerland Broadband.
RADWIN and Microsoft plan to introduce the TV White Space solutions to Airband Initiative partners, as well as to the global telecommunications industry, during the second half of 2019.