Microsoft Announces Affordable Access Initiative To Fund Low-Cost Connectivity Solutions

Microsoft today announced a new fund to help companies with solutions that bring affordable Internet access to developing markets. The fund is part of Microsoft’s Affordable Access Initiative, which invests in new last-mile access technologies, cloud-based services and applications, and business models that can reduce the cost of Internet access and help more people affordably get online. Companies can apply to be part of this initiative and they will receive on average approximately $75,000 in funding and free software and services, and opportunity to participate in a program offered by Microsoft to connect with other grant recipients and potential funders.

Under its Affordable Access Initiative, Microsoft partners with Internet access providers and other public and private sector entities on innovative and practical connectivity and services solutions. Some of them are Microsoft’s deployment of TV white spaces technology, Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, and more.

Starting today, eligible companies can submit their application online at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/affordable-access-initiative/home.