Geeks Without Frontiers

N50 Project - Digital Inclusion In 2021 Geeks launched the N50 project. The N50 Project accelerates digital adoption and community enrichment through innovative applications, network design, and business models to enable the next 3 billion people to participate in the digital world. Broadband adoption will be accelerated and sustained, globally, through commercial, non-profit, government, and community partnerships. The N50 focuses on tech-neutral connectivity, literacy, language, and convening partners to deliver human-enriching applications around education, healthcare, agriculture, and local entrepreneurship. The Geeks Without Frontiers team works as the Project Management Office for the N50, where we provide project curation, development and management; management and execution of the strategic communication; formulate partnerships; and more. With our partners from public, private, non-profit, and academia, we are developing implementable programs and projects that focus on connectivity options, applications, and sustainability. Here are the five largest N50 Projects: Solar Community Hubs to Indigenous Communities - Solar Community Hubs is an initiative supported by Dell Technologies, aimed at introducing technology to communities lacking digital access. Each hub, crafted from repurposed shipping containers with support from N50 Partner ComputerAid, serves as a solar-powered computer lab and provides a welcoming community space with its innovative design. The initiative seeks to enable people of all ages, even in the most remote communities, to engage with the digital world. Access to the Internet, technology, and digital skills provides opportunities in education, healthcare, and financial sustainability. Virtual Labs - The N50 Project team, in collaboration with partners such as Intel and ApplianSys, is implementing Virtual Labs to address the educational needs of communities in Inyo and Mono Counties, including the Owens Valley and Lone Pine Communities. These labs cater to 74 K-12th grade students in afterschool programs and 60 adult learners seeking post-secondary education and employment opportunities. With Intel's assistance, the project has successfully delivered and deployed virtual computer labs comprising 31 workstations. These labs offer digital literacy training to enhance the skills, knowledge, and application proficiency of both students and adult learners. The solution not only facilitates easy implementation and deployment but also supports offline mode, reducing reliance on networks. It is cost-effective and features simplified IT management, making it manageable for the small staff overseeing the labs. Moreover, it boasts flexibility to accommodate future growth and meets diverse application needs within Tribal communities. Another historically-important ribbon was cut in the Dominican Republic in November in collaboration with N50 partners and Local Government as we helped launch an Edulabs Program for Multiple Low-Income Communities in the Dominican Republic. Rural Community Connectivity in Luumbo, Zambia - The N50 project team is collaborating with partners in Zambia to test the concept in an under-served, very poor rural environment. The village selected for the project is Luumbo, in the remote Gwembe district of southern Zambia. Initial surveys have confirmed that the availability of devices capable of internet connectivity are very limited in Luumbo, and very few people there are internet users.The N50 project team is working closely with the local community leaders to pre-plan the roll-out of the technology, provide a Proof of Concept (PoC) for education services and are facilitating the deployment of other services into Luumbo to help meet adult education, health, agricultural and leisure needs of the community. UT Health San Antonio of Nursing - The N50 Project team provided direct and immediate support to help accelerate the implementation of Health Hubs, with a feasibility study for broadband connectivity. With our partners and our expertise, we delivered an informative and actionable report identifying probable locations based on existing or improvable broadband connectivity. This included research on publicly available broadband maps, research on privately-held N50 Partner maps, outreach to local entities (such as school districts and commercial partners), recommendations on potential satellite service providers, and support for Zoom tele-medicine encryption setup. Internet Connectivity & Data Exchange for YKAN Fisheries - The project aimed to assess and implement a connectivity solution for transmitting digital images from boats to a platform, enhancing Internet access for fishermen and enabling data exchange with CODRS collaborators and YKAN (Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara) fisheries program. Phase one involved evaluating connectivity options, focusing on legal solutions in Indonesia for near shore and deep-water operations. Phase two entailed sourcing and installing technology for a pilot on one vessel, followed by a proof of concept (POC) on 3-5 vessels. Phase three saw the installation of connectivity solutions on 3-5 boats, exploring options like extended GSM or LEO satellite, with testing conducted in two Indonesian regions.

Digital Equity Initiative in Maricopa, Arizona-- Since August 2023, GWF has been actively engaged in preparing broadband network designs and strategies tailored to the requirements of community anchor institutions, particularly in collaboration with Sun Corridor Network (SCN), including the customization of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to streamline interactions. The implementation of this CRM system aims to centralize contact management and communication with community anchor institutions effectively. GWF conducts targeted outreach efforts within Maricopa County to identify and assess community anchor institutions eligible for enhanced broadband connectivity, reflecting their commitment to equitable access to digital resources. Additionally, GWF supports SCN in network design preparation through site surveys, data analysis, design requirement definition, proposal preparation, and feedback facilitation, collaborating closely with SCN partners to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and align strategies for digital equity program implementation. Furthermore, GWF extends broadband funding outreach by engaging with all Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in Maricopa County, assessing their broadband needs and potential challenges, and exploring partnerships with PHAs to utilize public housing locations as community anchor institutions for broadband access.

Indigenous Resilience Network/Broadband for Tribes- Geeks WIthout Frontiers continues to provide further support of the implementation of infrastructure, adoption of applications, workforce and economic development to benefit the communities and sustainable solutions. The GWF team has been actively working with multiple Tribes with their plans to build/expand long-term sustainable broadband networks and address the many impacts of digital disparities among the already marginalized communities. The studies provided options for the design, procurement, implementation, and long-term operation of broadband networks owned by and operated by each Tribe. The Summary studies took account of key variables including spectrum, regulatory, policy, technology, applications, user demand, competition, financial modeling, and other factors. These studies also show how the networks can be expanded to provide broadband services for neighboring towns as well as other potential clients. GWF recommended technology selection path(s) and architecture, multi-year business plan, assessment of the applicability for demand aggregation implementations, use of sources of funding, and recommended approach to address relevant legal matters linked to the broadband network deployment. Our team is continuing to work with these Tribes and additional Tribes with providing further support of the implementation of infrastructure, adoption of applications to benefit the communities and sustainable solutions.

YALI Legacy & Leadership -- The project, operating under the Young African Leaders Initiative Legacy & Leadership (YALI LL) Africa umbrella, marks the next phase of the YALI's overall goal to address the challenges faced by Africa's youth, leveraging the unique capabilities of our collaboration with USAID, Arizona State University and other partner entities. Geeks Without Frontiers, is positioned as a key partner working towards the development and success of African youth in the global landscape, contributing to the broader objectives of the YALI Africa project through technology landscape analysis, and advisory services. Independent Verification Agent -GWF is providing support as an Independent Verification Agent to USAID-Microsoft-Resonance GDA that aims to support internet service providers (ISPs) in connecting community anchor institutions that are of critical social and economic importance in typically underserved, underdeveloped areas. This "Incentive Fund" aims to address the digital divide that remains in many communities throughout emerging market countries in which some communities, groups of people (especially women), and types of institutions remain unconnected to the internet. The digital divide can prevent unconnected communities from accessing critical information, education, healthcare, finances, and other essential services, especially as the world moves toward digital platforms and service delivery for many such services.