Kacific Broadband Satellites Group and Microsoft have joined forces with the aim of reducing the digital gap in the Asia Pacific region. In a span of two years, they plan to offer internet connectivity to 10 million individuals by linking 750 rural education and healthcare facilities across the region. The initiative, headquartered in Singapore, will leverage the high-powered Ka-band beams from the Kacific1 satellite to deliver high-speed internet access to remote institutions. Target areas include Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa, and Timor-Leste. These connected institutions will serve as digital centers for their communities, unlocking new opportunities and enhancing local services. This collaboration is part of Microsoft’s broader Airband initiative, which aims to tackle the global digital divide.
The impact of this endeavor is already evident. Palawan Baptist Hospital in the Philippines, previously grappling with unreliable and expensive connectivity, experienced significant improvements after adopting the high-speed satellite internet service. This resulted in enhanced efficiency, reduced communication delays, and cost savings for the hospital.
Darren Jay Gacot, Head of Marketing, Communications & IT at Palawan Baptist Hospital, emphasized the correlation between improved internet access and streamlined communication for hospital operations.
Kacific’s Corporate Development Director, Beatrice Mok, highlighted the significance of expanding high-speed, affordable internet usage in isolated communities. Drawing on Kacific’s expertise and ecosystem, particularly in the Pacific Islands, Mok expressed confidence in collaborating with Microsoft’s Airband initiative to serve the countries in need.
Kacific’s approach to providing internet connectivity in developing nations prioritizes connecting educational and healthcare institutions, aligning with their commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Mok emphasized the careful selection of project locations to maximize population coverage and ensure sustainability.
Vickie Robinson, General Manager of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, emphasized the belief that internet access is a fundamental right, enabling economic opportunities for individuals, businesses, and governments. Robinson highlighted the significance of strategic alliances like the one with Kacific in advancing connectivity and digital equity, particularly in critical markets.
This initiative holds the potential to revolutionize key areas of service provision and improve quality of life in some of the most isolated communities, underscoring the transformative power of technology when made accessible to all.
