Airband Rural Wireless Program Has Eight Service Provider Partners, 230 More on Microsoft Wireless ISP Program

When Microsoft announced plans in 2017 to work with network operators to bring broadband to rural areas lacking broadband service, the company had no problem finding network operators to participate in the program, dubbed Microsoft Airband. Microsoft’s initial plans called for 12 rural broadband projects in 12 states, with a strong emphasis on fixed wireless technology. The company later extended the timeframe and raised the goal to 25 states.

To date, the company has announced eight partners, primarily wireless internet service providers (WISPs), for 16 states. But so many other companies expressed interest in the Airband project that Microsoft decided to create a program to help those companies with their own deployments. More than 230 WISPs currently participate in that program, which as McKinley explains, provides benefits such as access to hardware at lower prices. The service providers that were chosen for Airband projects were chosen based on “how committed to and interested they were in developing new solutions and being creative in solving problems,” said McKinley, adding that “we need everyone’s creativity to come to the front.” Other selection factors: Microsoft wanted providers that were “actively engaged in the community” and who wanted to “ensure that the community has access to greater economic opportunities,” as well as opportunities for healthcare and education.