On 26th August 2020, Ericsson, Swedish Telecom Company, partnered with United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) to map internet connectivity landscape for schools in 35 countries by the end of 2023 to provide digital learning access to the children.
- This joint initiative is a part of the Giga initiative launched by UNICEF and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in September 2019 to provide internet connection to every school and their surrounding communities.
Note:
Ericsson is the first private sector partner to make a million-dollar commitment to the Giga initiative and global UNICEF partner for School Connectivity Mapping.
Objective:
This three-year initiative will identify the connectivity gap in the 35 countries, this is a critical first step to provide internet connectivity to every school.
Features:
i.Ericsson will provide the resource for data engineering and data science capacity to accelerate the connectivity mapping in schools.
ii.Under this partnership, Ericsson will provide assistance with the collection, validation, analysis, monitoring and visual representation of real-time school connectivity data.
iii.The extensive customer base of Ericsson will be engaged to advance the goals of Giga Initiative.
Benefits:
i.This global partnership will help to bridge the global digital divide.
ii.The data generated through mapping will support the governments and private sectors to design and deploy digital solutions that enable digital learning for children and young people.
iii.The improved connectivity will benefit generations of school children and enable them to shape their own future with increased access to information, opportunity and choice.
Recent Related News:
i.On World Youth skills Day, The United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) India announced its partnership with SAP India, a software company to provide career counseling to young people on improving their skills to increase employment opportunities for them.
ii.Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS) signed the statement of intent with United
Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF)’s multi stakeholder platform – YuWaah to mobilise 1crore youth volunteers in India to achieve the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and to promote the volunteerism among the youth in India.
About Ericsson:
President and CEO– Börje Ekholm
Headquarters– Stockholm, Sweden
About UNICEF:
Executive Director– Henrietta Holsman Fore
Headquarter– New York, United States (US)
