Broadening Connectivity: A Conversation with Steve Song and Mike Jensen - Part II

Podcast

Broadening Connectivity: A Conversation with Steve Song and Mike Jensen - Part II

"Connectivity policy and technology adoption strategies to broaden internet access in developing countries."

Continuation of conversation with Steve Song, Fellow at the Mozilla Foundation, and Mike Jensen, South African ICT specialis... view more

Additional Info

Topics: Access and Connectivity, Telecommunications and Broadband Access, Information and Communication Technologies, ICT Innovation and Transformation, Backbone Telecommunications Infrastructure Development, Broadband Networks, Mobile Local Access, Education Access and Equity
GP:
Education
Keywords:
Connectivity, speed, remote areas, satellite links, Internet Access, Access to Education, Internet Connectivity, online resources, communication infrastructure, network traffic, low-cost WiFi, ICT4D, Universal Access, wireless technologies, Telecommunications, Internet issues, Telcom, spectrum strategies, Capacity Building, Education, Online Education, Digital Education, Digital Technologies, Distance Education, Universal Education, Cables, fiber, radio frequency, bandwidth, Access and Connectivity, affordable connectivity, broadband connectivity
Language:
English
Learning Mode:
Podcast
Date Added: August 5, 2021
Length:
21 mins

About the Presenters

Robert Hawkins

Senior Education & Technology Policy Specialist, World Bank

Robert Hawkins is the World Bank's Senior Education & Technology Policy Specialist and Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education, working on issues at the intersection of technology use and education in middle- and low-income countries and emerging markets around the world. At a practical level, Bob provides advice and technical assistance to governments seeking innovative ways to improve teaching and learning in the classroom and strategic advice on the improvement of education systems and management.

Alex Twinomugisha

Senior Education Technology Specialist, World Bank

Alex Twinomugisha is a Senior Education Technology Specialist in the World Bank working on technology in education issues. Alex has spent over 20 years working on education and technology policy and program design, procurement and deployment at basic education (K-12), vocational and higher education levels. A core member of the World Bank's global edtech team, Alex’s interests and expertise focus on designing, developing and using technology to solve some of education’s most difficult challenges in developing countries.

Steve Song

Fellow at the Mozilla Foundation

Steve Song is a researcher, entrepreneur, and advocate for cheaper, more pervasive access to communication infrastructure. He is currently a Fellow at the Mozilla Foundation as well as a research associate with the Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) where he works to expand the use of wireless technologies through shared spectrum strategies. His blog (http://manypossibilities.net) is a popular destination for anyone interested in African telecommunications and Internet issues. Since 2009, Steve has been actively maintaining public maps of the undersea and terrestrial fiber-optic infrastructure in Africa. Steve is also the founder of Village Telco, a social enterprise that manufactures low-cost WiFi mesh VoIP technologies to deliver affordable voice and Internet service in under-serviced areas. Previously, Steve worked at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), where he led the organization's ICT4D program in Africa, funding research into the transformational potential of ICTs.

Mike Jensen

South African ICT specialist

Mike Jensen is a South African ICT specialist who co-founded Canada's first ISP for non-profit organizations - The Web - in 1987. The Web is also one of the founding members of the Association for Progressive Communications (http://apc.org ). Since then he has worked across the developing world to help build Internet infrastructure, particularly in Africa. In 1995 he co-wrote Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech for the ITU’s flagship event, TELCOM, and in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Internet, he was inducted into the Internet Society's Internet Hall of Fame (IHOF) in 2017. Mike's main focus is on connectivity policy and technology adoption strategies focusing on efforts to help broaden access to ICTs in developing countries. He mainly works with civil society, governments, and development agencies to advise on infrastructure development strategies that increase internet access. This ranges from advising on projects which encourage governments to ensure all new roads include ducts for fiber, to raising awareness of techniques for using TV radio spectrum for wireless broadband and assisting in the development of Universal Access strategies.

Join the Discussion

Jes�s Manuel

- Aug 11, 2021

Great Conversation

Mohammad Nadir

- Aug 11, 2021

Excellent!

Joy Mildred Adhiambo

- Aug 11, 2021

Great

DR. YOGENDRA NATH

- Aug 11, 2021

Interesting.