Local SA Internet connectivity projects recognised globally for innovative ideas to narrow digital gap Two South African Internet connectivity projects – Project Isizwe and Zenzeleni – have made it into the semi-finals of Mozilla's $250 000 Equal Rating Innovation Challenge, a global competition which seeks innovative ideas to bridge the digital divide across the world. This gives you an idea of what is happening on the ground: "Members of the community chosen to host base stations are trained to install aerials, solar panels and mesh potatoes to their roofs and to make wooden battery boxes. Once the programme was legally registered as a co-operative, it was able to do business with a VOIP company which places calls to other networks (cellular or landline) for 17% of the normal cost. The co-operative charges users 50% of the normal price, and uses the revenue to fund the programme's continued operation." Both finalists are from Cape Town too. See http://ift.tt/2jo3Q5k
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