Chairman Genachowski answered Brooklyn-ite Elizabeth Stark’s question on cost by saying the FCC needs to eliminate all barriers to competition so more Interent providers can compete and drive down prices.
via You and the FCC Chairman discuss the Future of the Internet
Ukunda, Kenya, February 27, 2010 – For the first time, a Rural Internet Kiosk (RIK) has been installed for rural youth empowerment in Africa. Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development (VOA4SD) is building the capacity of local youth to empower themselves through the Internet and social enterprise. The community based organization, Voices of Diani will own and operate the Rural Internet Kiosk with training, support, and volunteers from VOA4SD. The Rural Internet Kiosk is a product of Intersat Africa, Ltd. who has generously provided the first year of bandwidth at no cost. The funding for this project has been provided by the Internet Society through their Community Grants initiative.
For the first time, indigenous Amazonian tribesmen, long isolated by their location deep within the rainforest, will have access to the internet and telephone. The system, which includes a VSAT satellite dish, was installed by the System of Protection of the Amazon (SIPAM) to enable a closer monitoring of illegal logging operations. Up until now, indigenous tribes were aware of deforestation taking place on protected land but had little recourse to combat the problem–now they can twitter about it instantaneously.
SIPAM reports that the two main tribes in the region, the Kawahara and Piripkura of central Brazil, are pleased with their new connectivity.
Via Uncontacted Amazon Tribes Get Internet Connection : TreeHugger.