Microsoft has announced that it has plans to provide free internet access across India. According to a report in Hindustan Times, Microsoft chairman, Bhaskar Pramanik has said that the company is planning to use the “white space,” the unused spectrum between two TV channels to provide free connectivity. The report also indicates that the 200-300 MHz spectrum band available in the white space can reach up to 10 km compared to 100 metres range provided by Wifi. This spectrum, which belongs to Doordarshan is not in use. The company is said to have got clearance from the government for a pilot project in two districts. The project will be implemented in several phases which will start this year and continue until 2018.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s Digital India plan, which aims to transform the country into digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, will get a major boost with this plan of Microsoft.
