White space networks have yet to revolutionize Internet access but they still have hope in creating a drastic impact in countries that have lack the consistency of Internet access. A new project of the power of white space networks is arising in Kenya as a solar-powered network brings Internet to people who aren't connected to an electrical power grid.
The previous month, Microsoft, along with Kenyan government officials, deployed the network in various areas in Kenya. It is currently serving a health clinic in Burguret, a primary and secondary school in Male, a secondary school in Gakawa, and a library in Laikipia. The network is planned to be expanded to 20 other locations in the next coming months.
Director of technology policy at Microsoft, Paul Garnett recalls that "down in the valley, nobody has electricity." However, some areas did have mobile Internet access, but "it's so expensive that nobody ever uses it," says Garnett. Electricity is not completely unavailable but it is said that it is scarce. For example, a school has electricity going into the principal's office but it is unavailable anywhere else.
This is where solar power comes in; specifically, 4.5 kilowatt hours of energy per day are derived from 7 square-meter panels. "During the day the solar panel is providing enough to run the network and provide some charging capability, and then in evenings there is this battery backup that can continue to provide broadband access, plus you have excess capacity for overnight charging," Garnett said. "Think of the school scenario where you've got a computer lab that the kids can use during of the day, and drain down the batteries in the tablets during the day. And then in the evening you have a charging station where all the tablets are plugged in and can recharge overnight."
