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| Microsoft Expands Internet Access Project |
With its Airband program, Microsoft has bridged the digital divide by expanding broadband access to rural areas of the United States over the past four years.
However, reliable and affordable internet access is not always available in cities.
The company is now focusing on urban areas and is expanding its air range program to Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, El Paso and Memphis.
Even though these cities have broadband infrastructure, many people still find the access fees prohibitive due to the cost of service and hardware.
This prevents millions of people from acquiring the basic knowledge of life. Especially in black, African American, Latin American, and Hispanic communities.
Microsoft helps access the Internet:
In addition to lowering the cost of broadband services, Microsoft also plans to provide free or low-cost refurbished equipment. The goal is to make it easier for people from disadvantaged communities in these eight cities to access the Internet.
It also provides tools and resources to help people learn or improve their digital skills.
To achieve this goal, the company is working with various partners, including Personal Computers for People and DigitalC.
One of Microsoft's steps in bridging the digital divide is to offer financial programs to people with little or no credit who are ISP Starry's low-cost broadband customers.
These folks can buy the Surface Go 2, Office for Home, and Office for Student for $22 a month.
The discount has opened in Los Angeles and New York, and Microsoft will be promoting it in six more cities in the coming months.
Airband's urbanization is part of Microsoft's Racial Justice Initiative.
The company announced a plan last summer to address racial inequality and injustice in black and African American communities.
At the same time, the federal and state governments are working to bridge the digital divide.
President Biden's infrastructure plan calls for broadband expansion. California Governor Gavin Newsom's budget draft includes a $7 billion public broadband project.