As a private internet connectivity company we praise the DETF initiatives as presented in the DRAFT report, echoing also key areas of the work being prepared under the World Bank Group ‘Moonshot Initiative’.

As a relatively small private company in a group of multinational teleco’s BLUETOWN is proud to be member of the multi-stakeholder consultation group to advise the development of the World Bank Group’s strategy for ‘Moonshot Africa’ – a new initiative with an objective to double broadband access by 2021 and reach universal service access by 2030 in Africa and the Middle East.

BLUETOWN distinguishes itself in the group by offering an alternative approach to bridge the prevalent digital divide. Our position is this:

In order to achieve a sustainable broadband connectivity solution for rural and remote areas it is important to bear in mind the limitations as to how much CapEx can be spent vs. revenue and customer potential in these areas (BoP customer segment).

The traditional telco-model requires license, high-power hardware.  It is difficult, however, to have a positive business case in these areas, hence the lack of connectivity today.

The private company BLUETOWN offers an alternative solution to the traditional telco-model using  unlicensed technology and low-power equipment, such as wi-fi or TVWS technology. BLUETOWN proposes that alternative technologies are being used in remove and rural communities with populations from 2,5 k – 60 k inhabitants.

 BLUETOWN provides an ‘Umbrella’ solution based on wi-fi technology, 100% solar-powered with battery backup. The main differentiator for the wi-fi solution on solar energy is that power-consumption is significantly lower, hence a lower CapEx investment.

In addition to a business model for deployment of wi-fi infrastructure and internet access subscription paid by end-users, we have developed the Local Cloud with the purpose of increasing ICT literacy and to capacitate broader rural community groups through information made available free of cost to the end user.  For example, public information on E-learning, E-health, E-governance, E-agric.

In a traditional model the user is required to buy expensive internet access in order to access the above kind of information. The Local Cloud solutions make access of these public services available all the time, at no cost to the end-user.

Hence, the Local Cloud is built as a key element in BLUETOWNs solution to overcome the main four barriers causing ‘the digital divide’:

1) infrastructure; BLUETOWN provides adaptable off-grid technology.

2) affordability & access; BLUETOWN offers cost-efficient technology and free access to Local Cloud content.

3) skill; BLUETOWN’s Micro-operator offers guidance and capacity building jointly with local partners.

4) relevance of digital services; BLUETOWN provides locally adapted and relevant content.

BLUETOWN  will follow the next steps of the EU-AU Digital Economy Task Force with great interest and will be happy to offer any further insights from our work.

Louise Kjaer

Vice President, Strategy & Sustainability