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Microsoft Awards Grants To Deliver Affordable Internet Access (cnet.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the connected-world dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNET: Microsoft said Tuesday it had awarded grants to 12 businesses as part of the company's Affordable Access Initiative, part of the software giant's effort to encourage low-cost Internet around the world. Grant recipients include businesses from Argentina, Botswana, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Uganda, the UK and the US. In addition to financial support, each company will have access to Microsoft resources, software and services to help them develop their technology. "With more than half of the world's population lacking access to the Internet, connectivity is a global challenge that demands creative problem solving," Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development, said in a press release. "By using technology that's available now and partnering with local entrepreneurs who understand the needs of their communities, our hope is to create sustainable solutions that will not only have impact today but also in the years to come." Google and Facebook are also working on bringing affordable Internet access around the world. Google has plans to broadcast Internet from hot air balloons via Project Loon, while Facebook plans to beam Internet down to earth from drones.

25 comments

  1. They can't get decent access.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    in the Seattle area. Why do they think they can be successful elsewhere?

  2. ..so they can force Windows 10 on more people by kheldan · · Score: 1

    That's their most likely motivation. Can't force people to use Windows 10 if they don't have decently fast internet access.

    --
    Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
    1. Re:..so they can force Windows 10 on more people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      you can have more than "decently fast internet" and still get screwed over by windows 10.. by both the malware-like "upgrade" and the forced updates after -- because you're on a satellite or cellular data plan (that may be all available to you other than dialup) with a ridiculously small monthly data cap.. like our grandparents at their farm: it is a puny 5 gigabytes a month, which windows 10 can pretty much burn through in a day. their solution is to turn off updates *completely* (on their windows 8), and lug their desktop computer into town every few months and manually download updates (not the 'recommended' ones, of course, nor some of the so-called 'important' ones that aren't security related) off DSL.

  3. Windows 7 by ickleberry · · Score: 1

    Unconnected Windows 7 instances are already desperately trying to download Windows 10 through this service at this very minute, long before it is even launched

  4. GRC's "Never 10" utility is small & free! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    https://www.grc.com/never10.ht...

    Share it with all of your friends on Windows 7/8 who don't want to be forced into a Windows 10 upgrade.

    1. Re:GRC's "Never 10" utility is small & free! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Good tool. Here's another one:

      https://www.safer-networking.o...

      "Spybot Anti-Beacon is a standalone tool which was designed to block and stop the various tracking (telemetry) issues present in Windows 10. It has since been modified to block similar tracking functionality in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 operating systems.

      Anti-Beacon is small, simple to use, and is provided free of charge. It was created to address the privacy concerns of users of Windows 10 who do not wish to have information about their PC usage sent to Microsoft. Simply clicking âoeImmunizeâ on the main screen of Anti-Beacon will immediately disable any known tracking features included by Microsoft in the operating system."

      "If any issues occur with your PC while using Anti-Beacon, undoing the changes made can be done by clicking the âoeUndoâ button in the main window. This will re-enable all tracking services. If you experience any issues using Anti-Beacon or have any suggestions/recommendations, please be sure to let us know on the forum thread relating to this tool."

      https://forums.spybot.info/sho...

    2. Re:GRC's "Never 10" utility is small & free! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or you can just not use Windows...

  5. Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Meanwhile in the glorious nation of Kazakhstan: http://s32.postimg.org/k1m6y13wl/P60229_033803.jpg

    45GB 4G data plan for $15

    1. Re: Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How do I get Kazakh citizenship?

    2. Re: Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Borat

  6. To better spy on you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    N/T.

  7. The Microsoft You Deserve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So long as you continue to keep Windows around for gaming or some other excuse, you validate their existence. DirectX should be open sourced or developers PAID more for NOT supporting it.

    This includes the losers who use pirated versions.

    Grow up and get a real OS, VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET PEOPLE! Donate to FOSS projects you enjoy using and switch!

    Young people take heed: You're now seeing the underbelly of the demon. You missed the good old days of Windows 95/98 blue screens. Now you're seeing the true colors of the beast.

    "Oh I have to keep up to date for work" or some other bullshit NO YOU DON'T.

    You don't have to use Windows for anything. Quit making excuses, if you buy a system with Windows installed, demand a refund, there are HowTos about this subject on plenty of sites on the web.

    Don't continue to reward this type of behavior.

    1. Re:The Microsoft You Deserve by cavreader · · Score: 1

      "You don't have to use Windows for anything" Except for running the majority of applications frequently used by individuals and companies every day. People don't run OS's they run applications.

      "Oh I have to keep up to date for work" The updates are security and bug fixes. Issues all the non-MS OS's also have to deal with. The update mechanism is to make things easier for the non-technical users not the whiny bitches masquerading as software developers.

    2. Re:The Microsoft You Deserve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Shilling for MS? These days most enterprise apps have the UI running in a browser. The only valid reason to use MS W are a few highly specialized apps used in science/engineering. No reason for those workstations to be connected to Internet and thus no need for "security updates" for Internet.

    3. Re:The Microsoft You Deserve by cavreader · · Score: 1

      "The only valid reason to use MS W are a few highly specialized apps used in science/engineering" And how did you arrive at this idiotic conclusion? Did you take a poll? Perform indepth studies to backup your conclusion? Maybe you have over 25 years of actual hands on experience in the IT world?
      " no need for "security updates" for Internet" You really are clueless and what's worse is you probably think you are right and go out of your way to inflict your stupidity and ignorance on others.

  8. fiber please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    just lay a line across africa

  9. How about getting better access for their own... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    employees first? I, and nearly half of my team, can't work from home since we're required to use remote desktop.

  10. wow! by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 1

    Microsoft really wants to get EVERYONE to upgrade to Windows 10.

    --
    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
  11. Re: How about getting better access for their own. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nobody at msft works via remote desktops, you fucking poser clown.

  12. Free Internet For All by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Free internet should be available to all people, especially the youth and 3rd World Countries like India, Russia, China and other countries with high population and a large youth population. Microsoft, Google and Facebook are on the correct path. First, the public places like Railway Stations, Airports, Coffee Shops. Then there are subways etc. where people are waiting and willing to take out the smartphone and start browsing. http://faceofit.com

    1. Re:Free Internet For All by Salgak1 · · Score: 1

      Free Calls. Free Internet. For Ever.

      I saw that movie. It didn't end well.

      But seriously, infrastructure costs money. Bandwidth costs money. And things like extending wireless internet into subways is both costly and time-consuming. The Washington DC "Metro" subway has been working towards cell coverage throughout the system for nearly a decade. . . .and still isn't there yet (ONE provider has decent coverage inside most of the system, but unless you have a Verizon Phone. . . good luck.

      Municipal Internet-as-a-utility is a good idea, but entrenched telecoms and cable providers will fight it every millimeter of the way. . .

  13. Is every Microsoft post a vehicle to bash them by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    All the posts so far I see are doing their best to bash on Microsoft. There is like one topic that gets reported on every time any writes how Microsoft is pushing everyone to upgrade to Windows 10. This is getting ridiculous... according to most people here there is nothing that Microsoft does that isn't evil in some way.

    Microsoft is a big company with many goals. Don't try to link everything they do to your favorite pet peeve,

  14. But NOT to the USA! Why? Read this. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No affordable internet for us!
    Microsoft wants to make sure third world countries have affordable internet so they can lay off the remaining US workforce and move the jobs overseas.

  15. not kindness of heart by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    money making predatory business scam shit as usual.

    people in africa starving, bill ships toilets. buy ice, bill.