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Nokia, a multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics company, has partnered with multiple stakeholders in Kenya’s education system to connect close to 90 schools to the Internet in Kenya. The initiative, a collaboration between Safaricom, UNICEF, and the Kenyan Ministries of Education and ICT, 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 importance of good connectivity has been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital divide meant that students who could access the internet were better placed to continue with their learning. The schools will be making use of 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. 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.
“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,” said UNICEF Kenya Country Representative Maniza Zaman.
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.”
The Nokia FastMile 4G Receiver 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. The Nokia WiFi Beacon supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard and uses algorithms to detect and mitigate potential issues at home in real-time. The Wi-Fi network can be seamlessly extended by adding Beacons to avoid any dead spots in the house.
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