REDMOND, Wash., July 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, Watch
Communications and Microsoft Corp. announced an agreement
aimed at closing the broadband gap, and the rural digital divide in
particular, in the states of Indiana, Ohio
and Illinois. The partnership is
part of the Microsoft Airband Initiative, which is focused on
extending broadband access to three million people in rural America
by July 2022.
The FCC reports that more than 21 million Americans lack
broadband access. According to Microsoft data, 162 million people
across the United States are not
using the internet at broadband speeds, including approximately 17
million people in Indiana,
Ohio and Illinois. Watch Communications will deploy a
variety of broadband connectivity technologies to bring these areas
under coverage, with an emphasis on wireless technologies
leveraging TV white spaces (e.g., unused TV frequencies) in lower
population density or terrain-challenged areas to achieve improved
coverage. The areas expected to benefit include 50 counties in
Indiana, 22 counties in
Illinois, and most counties in
Ohio.
"Every person deserves the same opportunity. But too often and
in too many places, these opportunities are limited by where people
live and their access to reliable and affordable broadband access,"
said Shelley McKinley, general manager, Technology and
Corporate Responsibility, Microsoft. "Microsoft is working across
the country to close this gap. We're partnering with Watch
Communications to improve broadband access in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio and build on the incredible work being
done by state and local leaders on this issue on behalf of their
citizens."
"Public-private partnerships, collaboration and understanding
local initiatives are key to enabling connectivity success.
Providing rural broadband can be difficult, so working as a team to
solve the digital divide requires partners. We are excited to
partner with Microsoft on this initiative," said Greg Jarman,
chief operating officer, Watch Communications.
Improved connectivity will bolster economic, educational and
telehealth opportunities for everyone in the region, and could be
particularly impactful for this region's farmers. Together,
Indiana, Illinois and Ohio account for more than $38.5 billion in agricultural value, with all
three ranking in the top 16 states by agricultural output,
according to the USDA. With broadband access, farmers can take
advantage of advanced technologies such as precision agriculture
which can help better monitor crops and increase yields.
In addition, Watch Communications and Microsoft will work
together to ensure that once connectivity is available, people know
how to use it and can get the training needed to fully participate
in the digital economy, access educational opportunities and access
telemedicine.
State by State View
Indiana
This is
Microsoft's first Airband Initiative deployment in Indiana. The need for improved connectivity is
acute — the FCC broadband mapping report shows that more than
673,000 people in Indiana do not
have access to broadband, and Microsoft data suggests that more
than 4.3 million people are not using the internet at broadband
speeds in the state. The partnership between Watch
Communications and Microsoft is expected to cover more than 1
million Hoosiers, more than 440,000 of whom are people in rural
areas that are currently unserved.
Watch Communications was a recent award winner of funds from the
FCC to extend broadband services in Indiana. As a result, Watch Communications has
been working with Indiana counties
to develop the deployment approach that best meets the needs of the
local communities. In addition to broadband, Watch Communications
has been working to use its network to design an IoT network to
serve Indiana businesses.
This also builds on Microsoft's presence in Indiana. Last October, Microsoft and the
Markle Foundation announced the launch of Skillful Indiana, focused
on bringing investment, training, tools, and innovative methods to
support workforce development in the state. In addition, the Hope
FFA chapter in Indiana was
recently awarded Microsoft FarmBeats Student Kits, which will help
FFA students develop essential digital skills for precision
agriculture and IoT technologies.
Ohio
Watch
Communications was a recent award winner of funds from the FCC to
extend broadband services in Ohio.
As a result, Watch Communications has been working with
Ohio counties to develop the
deployment approach that best meets the needs of the local
communities.
"You can't be a part of the modern economy or education system
without access to high-speed internet, and we are taking steps in
Ohio to extend broadband to those
who are underserved across the state," said Lt. Governor
Jon Husted. "Thank you to Microsoft
for being among the leaders on this and for being willing to
consider innovative solutions to help extend opportunity to people
in Ohio who need it."
This is Microsoft's second Airband Initiative deployment in
Ohio, following an August 2018 agreement between Microsoft and
Agile Networks. The need for improved connectivity is acute — the
FCC broadband mapping report shows that more than 621,000 people in
Ohio do not have access to
broadband, while Microsoft data suggests that more than 6.9 million
people are not using the internet at broadband speeds in the state.
The partnership between Watch Communications and Microsoft is
expected to cover approximately 2.5 million people, more than
288,000 of whom are people in rural areas that are currently
unserved.
This also builds on Microsoft's presence in Ohio. Microsoft's TEALS program is helping to
deliver computer science education to Ohio students. In addition, the Arcadia FFA
chapter and Triad-OHP FFA chapter in Ohio were recently awarded Microsoft FarmBeats
Student Kits, which will help FFA students develop essential
digital skills for precision agriculture and IoT technologies.
Illinois
This is
Microsoft's second Airband Initiative deployment in Illinois, the first being a September 2018 agreement between Microsoft and
Network Business Systems to bring broadband internet to people in
Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota. The need for
improved connectivity is acute — the FCC broadband mapping report
shows that more than 680,000 people in Illinois do not have access to broadband,
while Microsoft data suggests that more than 6.6 million people are
not using the internet at broadband speeds in the state. The
partnership between Watch Communications and Microsoft is expected
to cover more than 275,000 people, more than 80,000 of whom are
people in rural areas that are currently unserved.
About Watch Communications
Founded in 1992, Watch
Communications is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a
combination of fixed wireless and fiber technologies to serve
residential and business customers throughout Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois. Watch Communications
began as a wireless cable TV provider and expanded service
offerings in 1998 to include Internet. Since its creation, Watch
Communications has focused on unserved and underserved small and
rural markets.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft)
enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud
and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and
every organization on the planet to achieve more.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/watch-communications-and-microsoft-announce-partnership-to-bring-broadband-internet-to-indiana-ohio-and-illinois-300881364.html
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.