MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

COMMUNITY INTERNET FOR SMART VILLAGES

One-line solution summary:

Internet access to rural communities through point to multi point connectivity supporting on line classes,community meetings,entreprenurship

Pitch your solution.

Kenya has made tremendous strides in promoting the uptake of ICT services. Nevertheless, the digital divide is still a challenge if all Kenyans are to participate actively in the knowledge economy and social inclusion.In some parts of the country, people still have to walk more than 2 kilometers to access mobile cellular signal and most particularly in 13 far-flung counties.In addition, access to Internet and data services is still a mirage in many parts of Kenya according to 2016 ICT Authority Report.Lack of internet access to our rural communities is already negating desired growth and social inclusion in our communities.I will provide last mile internet connection through point to multi point technology by installing satellite dishes on rural schools and community infrastructures to provide unlimited and dedicated bandwidth.The initiative will connect our communities with global village concept and platforms for sharing best practices, acquisition of new knowledge and improved livelihoods.

Film your elevator pitch.

What specific problem are you solving?

Inadequate Internet access to our rural communities supporting equal education for all,addressing poverty and providing community social inclusion platforms is such a great challenge in our communities.So far, we are going through infrastructural disparities compared to areas with such infrastructures.Even though majority of us live in rural areas,we still lack such vital service which can support us to work from home as demanded by our employers due to Covid 19 pandemic.Same challenges can also be felt globally due to economic meltdown being experienced by countries.So far,more than 70% of the Kenyan population is directly and indirectly affected because basic infrastructure supporting such initiatives are lacking in some communities.My solution will endevour to provide internet to remote areas where mainstream service providers cannot reach due to terrain.In kenya,only 66% is covered with fiber and mobile telephony but more than 34% is yet to receive internet services according to ICT Authority 2019 report which is my primary focus.Learning has been interrupted but my internet solution will bridge this gap more so within our rural and urban communities.

What is your solution?

I have linked up my satellite dish with transponders inside the moon which has provided line of site and is capable of sending and receiving internet signals.In simple terms Im installing satellite dishes connected to my base station and can therefore provide internet anywhere in Kenya and beyond.The setup has inbuilt 5G NETWORK operating on IPV6 platform.Technology in use is KA application supporting point to multi point satellite connection model.Its can offer 5GB to 500 GB space,provide unlimited and dedicated network,support home use and business packages.It covers the entire Kenya and 40 other African countries.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

So far Im targeting at least 80% of the Kenyan population who may be having challenges with internet access point maybe due to cost,availability,speed etc. Most of them living in towns and rural communities. Employers have instructed employees to work from home yet some of them doesn't have locally available internet solutions.Being a digital economy,my support will be value addition to all sectors and access to internet will support employment creation,value addition,entrepreneurship and society inclusion.I have created awareness through our local media and they usually inquire almost daily on how I can assist.Their greatest need is cheap and reliable internet which i can provide but the challenge I face is lack of money to purchase small satellite dishes to connect them.I have identified strategic locations like schools,hospitals and churches to mount the small dishes so that they only pay for subscription fee for unlimited and dedicated bandwidths.My solution shall provide last mile connectivity to parents,students,communities,the government and everybody in need of internet from any remote and rural community.We will create synergy for other service providers to cascade their services to rural communities and to invest in rural social inclusion as envisaged by opportunities created by internet.

According to the Study report, there are more than 580 sub-locations with less than 50% Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) population coverage of which 164 had no mobile signal at all. On the other hand, there were 2,221 sub-locations with less than 50% 3G-population coverage of which 1,221 have no access to 3G services at all. There is low geographical coverage of broadband services; for example, 50% of locations have no 3G services; further, 83% of the land mass lacks broadband services coverage. In addition, fiber optic cables only cover 60,000 km (17% land coverage).But most importantly, pupils and students within these areas cannot access internet for their online lessons due to lack of access points. Clearly, the challenge of bridging the digital divide is huge and requires concerted effort by all stakeholders purposely to convert schools into hotspots so that communities can leverage on it as last mile access points (from schools to their homes) for learning purposes.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Provide low-income, remote, and refugee communities access to digital infrastructure and safe, affordable internet.

Explain how the problem you are addressing, the solution you have designed, and the population you are serving align with the Challenge.

Poor or lack of internet in our rural communities has created economic disparities,inadequate exploitation of opportunities,rural urban migration,exploitation by the current service providers,lack of some basic services to the communities etc.Provision of Digital infrastructures will go along way in bridging this gap while cushioning and supporting provision of services to the undeserved communities.It will Equip everyone, regardless of age, gender, education, location, or ability, with culturally relevant digital literacy skills to enable participation in the digital economy.Scale safe and private digital identity and financial tools to allow people and small businesses to thrive in the digital economy through financial inclusion.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Nairobi, Kenya

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Pilot: An organization deploying a tested product, service, or business model in at least one community.

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution.

So far I have activated 3 internet access sites namely Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology with two sites;-one for student and the research facility at Sajorec and the other one at Kapoeta South Sudan.So far quite a number of student access the connection and I have decided to set up the 4th access point at Ngong Forest.I have also acquired equipment for 5th installation site but I need money to expand exponentially.

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Dr Harold Omondi Omollo Founder/Team Leader