Michigan State Professor Helps Bring Broadband Internet To Rural Africa (Video)

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Roblimo writes "Assistant Professor Kurt DeMaagd, of Michigan State's Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media, runs a program that brings broadband Internet to villages in Tanzania that have never known connectivity better than what they get with non-smart cell phones. Lots of students are involved, and Kurt (who was one of Slashdot's co-founders many years ago) believes the students get as much out of the project as the people in Tanzania who are its primary beneficiaries. Setting up not only computer networks but also satellite communications and solar arrays in areas where you can't zip on down to the local computer or hardware store for parts you forgot teaches how to work under adverse conditions, and how to plan in advance instead of winging everything at the last minute. But we'll let Kurt DeMaagd, who is an engaging speaker, tell the story himself in this long (8:12) video."

As much as its great to bring technology to...

[nhat11]

areas like this, I think they have their priorities wrong. I have been to 3rd world countries and the last thing the people there care about is internet access and a computer. They care about finding a job, getting food and feeding their families. Even if they did implement the technology, that's the easiest part, maintaining and keeping it running for years or even decades is the largest issue.