Inveneo

The EKTA Foundation, Microsoft and Inveneo Commit to Building Haiti Back Better, Through Broadband Technology

Submitted by Inveneo Newsfeed on 18 October 2010 - 6:00am.



Revitalizing Haitian entrepreneurial ability through broadband technology

Inveneo is proud to announce a new commitment to help Haiti build back better. At the Clinton Global Initiative 2010 Annual Meeting, The EKTA Foundation, Microsoft Corporation and Inveneo came together to commit to accelerating the deployment of a high speed, broadband wireless network in rural population centers and technology for schools throughout Haiti.

This commitment, which brings together Microsoft's innovative approach to expanding educational access, The EKTA Foundation's dedication to revitalizing Haitian entrepreneurial ability and Inveneo's technical know-how in implementing broadband cost effectively, is designed to drive real change and progress in Haiti.


Commitment Impact on Haiti


Through this commitment. we will enhance access to modern technology, increasing economic empowerment in these regions:

  1. Léogâne, Petit Goâves, Grand Goâves;
  2. East of Jacmel;
  3. Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau;
  4. West of Cap Haïtian;
  5. Gonaïves, Saint Marc;
  6. Jérémie area

To accomplish this goal, Inveneo will rapidly deploy a broadband network in partnership with local ISPs and entrepreneurs. This network will serve NGOs, so that they can accelerate their rebuilding efforts across Haiti. It will also be available for organizations including schools, hospitals, local government and enterprises, creating a pathway for economic development and opportunity for Haitians across the country.

With anchor funding from The EKTA Foundation, Inveneo will identify, train and certify Haitian IT entrepreneurs to deploy, operate and support this network, building the technology know-how in country as the network is rolled out. The revenue generated from the organizations that use the network will flow to Haitian entrepreneurs and ISPs, creating a sustainable business model to serve these previously under-served areas with broadband.

Microsoft will build upon the network to further increase the capacity of local organizations. Through technology and training resources from Microsoft, this initiative will: provide more than 40 NGOs with shared access computing resources; reach an estimated 24,000 students at 40 schools; and enable more than 100,000 people to gain basic computer literacy skills.

This new broadband connectivity will enable vital rebuilding, education, health services to rural Haiti, and foster long-term economic and employment opportunities.


Impact of Broadband Technology on Haiti

Inveneo has already demonstrated the impact of high-speed Internet access on humanitarian relief. Our first long-distance WiFi network, in Port-au-Prince, brought needed communication capabilities to NetHope members and other organizations responding to the Haiti earthquake, which saved lives, as Gary Shane, Country Director of Save the Children, explains:



Broadband technology also has an impact on the overall economy of a country. As noted by ITU Secretary-General, Dr Hamadoun I. Touré:

"Research consistently shows that investment in any sort of ICTs has a direct positive effect on GDP. Higher-end technologies – such as broadband networks – have been shown to deliver the greatest benefits. A 10% increase in broadband penetration can boost GDP by an average of 1.3%.

It has also been shown that a 10% higher broadband penetration in any given year is correlated with a 1.5% increase in labour productivity over the following five years – helping to drive GDP growth over a sustained period."

It is this greater economic impact that we now aim to facilitate.


Please Join Us in this Commitment

There are several organizations that have joined us with their support for this commitment including the Orr Foundation, the Aruba Foundation, ZeroDivide and NetHope.

We are seeking funding to complete the network and implementation partners focused on technology, entrepreneurship and rural education in Haiti to join us in this work.

If you are interested in partnering in the commitment, please contact us today, donate to Inveneo or share this with your friends.

Thank you,
The Inveneo Team


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