USTDA expands affordable internet access in South Africa

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to South Africa’s Wireless Access Providers Association (WAPA) for a pilot project that will help improve internet access for rural and semi-rural areas in South Africa through the use of American TV white space (TVWS) technologies.

“This grant demonstrates USTDA’s continuing commitment to developing quality and affordable ICT infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Acting Director. “Through our Access Africa initiative, USTDA is connecting our African partners with innovative U.S. suppliers of technology ideally suited for the local environment.”

TVWS technology utilizes unused broadcast spectrum to help connect rural and semi-rural customers to affordable internet service.

This project supports Prosper Africa, a U.S. government initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.

Original source: USTDA
Published on 05 August 2019