Vinjeru Mumba had heard a lot about TV white space (TVWS) technology, which uses unused broadcasting frequencies to deliver broadband access. So in late March, he joined 21 others in Lilongwe, Malawi for a TVWS training and simulation.

“The training I received was such an eye-opener, and there is much more to learn,” said Mumba, the National IT Coordinator for SOS Children’s Villages in Malawi, “It has brought me a lot of ideas that can now be achieved that were not previously possible. All in all, this is a great technology.”

TVWS, called “Super Wi-Fi,” is garnering buzz for its ability to travel long distances and penetrate obstacles like trees and walls. Nine NetHope member organizations – SOS Children’s Villages, Action Aid, Concern, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children, Water Aid, and World Vision – sent representatives to Lilongwe for the exercise.

Vinjeru Mumba, of SOS Children’s Villages in Malawi, practices setting up a TVWS network.

The goal of the training and simulation was to introduce TVWS technology as part of a standard kit in disaster response, and build capacity among NGO ICT staff in Malawi. It was coordinated by Microsoft TVWS service provider C3, and taught by Adaptrum, which makes TVWS base stations and other equipment.

Read the full story at the NetHope Blog.