Nokia, Safaricom and UNICEF connect more primary schools to the Internet across Kenya
17 August 2021 - 10:00AM
Nokia, Safaricom and UNICEF connect more primary schools to the
Internet across Kenya
Press Release
Nokia, Safaricom and UNICEF connect more primary schools
to the Internet across Kenya
- Deployment of Nokia FastMile 4G Fixed Wireless Access broadband
connects 90 primary schools, focusing on rural areas as well as
disadvantaged urban areas.
- Ambition to scale initiative to all schools in Kenya, as part
of a Government initiative to provide equitable access to digital
learning.
- Importance of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
further highlights the need for connectivity in schools.
17 August 2021
Nairobi, Kenya – Nokia has
come together with
multiple stakeholders, including Safaricom, UNICEF and the
Kenyan Ministries of Education and ICT, to connect close to 90
schools to the Internet in Kenya.
Both rural and disadvantaged urban settlements have benefitted from
the initiative, which also supports digitization and digital
literacy. The initiative aims to
‘connect the unconnected’, with the ultimate
goal of supporting the Kenyan
Government’s plans to scale broadband connection
to all schools by 2030.
The connected schools are spread across rural and informal urban
settlements in Kenya, serving an estimated 32,670 students. Schools
are using Nokia’s FastMile 4G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband
solution to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity delivered
over Safaricom’s 4G/LTE network. Nokia’s meshed WiFi Beacon
technology is used to boost the Internet signal in selected
classrooms and computer labs.
The importance of good connectivity has been highlighted during
the COVID-19 pandemic. School closures in Kenya in 2020 meant that
children had to stay at home for six to nine months, leaving them
reliant on remote learning. The digital divide meant that students
who could access the internet were better placed to continue with
their learning.
Schools equipped with a broadband connection, digital devices
and teacher training will now be able to make better use of video
communication, digital curricula and online content, thereby
improving digital literacy and skills amongst school children.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of
Safaricom, said: “As part of our Transforming Lives
purpose and vision to become a purpose-led technology company, we
are always looking for partnerships that allow us to use our
services to deliver social impact in areas aligned to the
Sustainable Development Goals. Our shared value partnership with
UNICEF and Nokia allows us to connect schools in underprivileged
areas and increase access to digital literacy. This will
ensure that the students there are not left behind when it comes to
reaping the benefits of an ever-increasing digital society.”
UNICEF Kenya Country Representative
Maniza Zaman said: “Children have
a right to access quality education wherever they are, yet for too
long, the digital divide has prevented disadvantaged children from
enjoying the same benefits as their connected peers. By connecting
schools to the Internet – with a focus on the most disadvantaged
areas – we can start to level the playing field. This allows
students and teachers to gain digital skills and access the latest
education materials, providing a brighter future for some of the
most vulnerable children in Kenya.”
Amr K. El Leithy, SVP, Middle East and Africa Market,
Nokia, said: “An important belief that we
hold at Nokia is the need to provide ‘broadband for all’. With
remote learning becoming the prevailing issue during the Covid-19
pandemic, the topic of digital equity takes center stage again, so
we are excited that this collaboration will facilitate access to
many students currently unconnected. This is an initiative we are
very proud to be a part of and hope that it is a significant step
to a brighter future for all those reaping its benefits.”
About the technology
Nokia FastMile 4G Receiver
The Nokia FastMile solution allows operators to build profitably
on their existing Radio Access Network (RAN) installed base and
idle spectrum so they can offer fixed wireless broadband to urban,
suburban and rural users. Nokia FastMile includes customer premise
equipment with a built-in modem and antenna, a cloud-based
controller for point of sales, monitoring and control, and
smartphone applications for installation and support. Together they
provide a powerful end-to-end solution delivering fast and reliable
broadband to fixed subscribers.
Nokia WiFi Beacon
Nokia WiFi Beacons support the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard and use
algorithms to detect and mitigate potential issues at home in
real-time. The Beacons always select the strongest Wi-Fi channel,
and ensure that client devices are connected in the best possible
way to maximize the end-users’ broadband experience. The Wi-Fi
network can be seamlessly extended by adding Beacons to avoid any
dead spots in the house. A mobile app brings ease of installation
and management to the end-user.
About NokiaAt Nokia, we create technology that
helps the world act together.
As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to
innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud
networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term
research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we
help build the capabilities needed for a more productive,
sustainable and inclusive world.
Media
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4900Email: press.services@nokia.com
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