Towards Sustainable Schools and Communities Internet
Connectivity Programme using TV Digital White Space
On 14th March 2022, The University of Dodoma (UDOM) and UNICEF Tanzania has signed collaboration agreement on scouting and mapping dark spots for sustainable schools and communities’ internet connectivity in Tanzania.
This initiative aims to improve internet connectivity in Tanzania, with an emphasis on connectivity for education delivery. UDOM and UNICEF Tanzania are collaborating on the potential deployment of access using TV Digital White Space (TVDWS) technology due to the limitations imposed by traditional connectivity techniques such as cable connections.
In order to utilize the technology for a fully equitable approach and not to overlay it with preexisting reliable, and stable connectivity, a coverage mapping is required. This mapping exercise is seeking to identify dark spots in communities and schools as well as nearby internet backbone access. The first phase of scouting and mapping dark spots will involve three potential locations: Kasulu District (Kigoma Region), Nyasa District (Ruvuma Region) and Kondoa District (Dodoma Region) which are hosting three registered community network cooperative societies.
The present collaboration will seek to create the relevant maps for the future implementation of TVDWS for the delivery of broadband internet access to communities and schools. In this collaboration, UNICEF Tanzania has provided some funds to UDOM to undertake scouting and mapping dark spots for school and community Internet connectivity in Tanzania from July 2022.
