Ericsson and UNICEF Launch Global Partnership to Map School Internet Connectivity

Princeton,NJ/ 360prwire/ November 29/

After Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications equipment manufacturer, entered into a partnership with UNICEF to create a school communication map through the Giga Initiative. As a result, this activity has reached the connectivity of one million schools.

Founded by UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2019, Giga aims to connect every school to the Internet in the nearest 7-8 years.

This initiative is significant: many schoolchildren worldwide do not have access to computers and modern education until now. Helping to narrow this digital divide is the goal of the two companies.

It is especially true now that the pandemic has forced us to look at distance learning from a different angle.

Statistics website Statista writes that as of April 2021, about 23.15 million households in the United States with children under 18 received their children online or virtual instructions from a teacher. About 181,300 homes had children who were unable to participate in education due to the school’s closure. What can we say about digitalization in the less developed countries of the world?

Since partnering with UNICEF in August 2020, Ericsson has been using data science to track schools in seven countries. Together with other partners, this initiative has crossed the one million registered schools milestone. Through the partnership, Ericsson has pledged to select schools in 35 countries by the end of 2023.

Networked Schools Create Opportunity and Promote Engagement

The Giga initiative believes that connecting schools to the Internet are one of the most effective ways to educate children worldwide. By connecting schools, children have access to more information and different teaching methods. In this way, they can achieve a higher level of education.

Giga partners believe that promoting learning and technology understanding is vital to enhancing digital literacy and bridging the digital divide. An employee trained in this higher standard can innovate and develop innovative ideas leading to economic progress and job creation.

Working on digital integration

Ericsson is working to distribute digital technologies and the expansion of educational opportunities around the world. Cooperation Ericsson with UNICEF clarifies that the company wants to provide teachers, students, and schools with the technology to deliver high-quality, affordable education.

Forbes writes that higher education institutions face many challenges: financial constraints, small IT teams, and increased competition. Remote monitoring and control, robust security measures, and automated manual tasks are critical success factors for higher education. Commercial, corporate companies have access to low-cost, cutting-edge IT innovations, and the education system must also have access to it.

Through a partnership with UNICEF, Ericsson has committed resources to data technology and data science to accelerate school connectivity. Ericsson provides technical expertise and supports collecting, validating, analyzing, and monitoring connectivity data in schools in real-time. With this data, governments and the private sector can design and implement digital solutions that enable children and young people to learn online.

Connectivity between schools creates opportunities and fosters inclusiveness.

Connected to schools, children gain access to more information, different learning styles, and a high level of education.

Improving learning and understanding of technology is vital for increasing digital literacy and narrowing the digital divide. Staff trained to this higher standard are more likely to be innovative and contribute to promoting creative ideas leading to economic development and job creation.

An existing report on the activities of UNICEF and Ericsson suggests that countries with low broadband connections have the potential to grow GDP up to 20 percent by connecting schools to the Internet. Impressive numbers, aren’t they?

In doing so, Ericsson is working in another direction: encouraging ISPs and political stakeholders to join the Giga program and donate their time and resources to accelerate the bridging of the digital divide.

Ericsson believes that the lack of Internet and sufficient digitalization leads to isolation and reduced learning resources and limits the future potential of many young people. Mapping schools is an essential first step in connecting every school to the Internet and the opportunity and choice for every student.

About Ericsson

Ericsson is a lead company in communications technology and services headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The main activity of this company is focused on the equipment of cellular networks. The company helps its clients drive digitalization, improve efficiency and find new revenue streams.

Conclusion

The governments of many developed countries know that the education we receive shapes the people we become. In this regard, the partnership between Ericsson and UNICEF is the first positive step towards narrowing the digital divide and actively promoting equality in education for different societies worldwide. The level of education you receive should not depend on the geography of your birth. And today, top software development companies are trying to join these kinds of initiatives to create learning opportunities and a dignified future for our children, regardless of where they live.

Author’s bio: Anastasiia Lastovetska is a technology writer at MLSDev, a software development company that builds web & mobile app solutions from scratch. She researches the area of technology to create great content about app development, UX/UI design, tech & business consulting.

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Adam Ali