REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday,
Microsoft Corp. announced it selected Skylark Wireless as a winner of its third annual Airband Grant Fund, to help bring broadband internet access to rural communities. As one of the eight winners,
Skylark Wireless is using innovative broadband solutions to extend broadband access to 10,000 households and businesses in
Mingo County, West Virginia. The Airband Grant Fund is part of the Microsoft Airband Initiative, which aims to help close the broadband access gap in rural America by 2022.
"Skylark Wireless is working to ensure the citizens of Mingo County have broadband access
they need to connect and compete with their more urban neighbors," said Shelley McKinley , Microsoft's head of Technology and Corporate Responsibility.
"Their use of innovative technologies like TV white spaces will help close the broadband gap in West
Virginia."
State Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt said, "We know there is a huge potential for
economic growth through our agriculture industries. Unfortunately, many of these small businesses struggle to reach their
potential because of a lack of access to broadband. I commend Microsoft's approach, which combines public-private partnerships
with emerging technologies to connect West Virginia to the rest of the world and bring 21st
century opportunities to our state."
The Microsoft Airband Grant Fund seeks to spark innovation to overcome barriers to affordable internet access, through support
of high-potential, early-stage startups creating innovative new technologies, services and business models. This year's grantees
receive cash investments, access to technology, mentoring and networking opportunities.
"Skylark Wireless is excited to be deploying its cutting-edge Massive MIMO platform in West
Virginia," said Clayton W. Shepard, founder and CTO, Skylark Wireless. "This next-
generation wireless network will bring true high-speed affordable broadband internet to thousands of people who need it most,
which wouldn't have been possible without the Microsoft Airband Grant Fund."
Broadband is the electricity of the 21st century. It is a necessity to start and grow a small business and take advantage of
advances in agriculture, telemedicine and education. In the United States, more than 24 million
Americans lack broadband access, including 19.4 million people living in rural areas.
Below is a list of this year's Microsoft Airband Grant Fund recipients. More about the Microsoft Airband Grant Fund can be
found here.
About Skylark Wireless
In rural West Virginia, Skylark Wireless is developing next-gen wireless solutions to connect
underserved populations, focusing on long-range, high-speed connectivity including massive-MIMO and TV White Spaces.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent
edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microsoft-awards-grant-to-skylark-wireless-to-expand-internet-access-in-rural-west-virginia-300689987.html
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.