Astrome, a Bangaluru based deep-tech startup, has announced deployment of the first indigenously developed E-band radio to provide affordable internet connectivity in rural parts of Karnataka. The company deployed its GigaMesh E-band radio from Sompura gram panchayat to Nidavanda village to facilitate 4G and 5G connectivity.
The E-band radio can provide multi-point-to-point (Multi-P2P) communications which can effectively distribute fibre capacity wirelessly. In terms of applicability, a single GigaMesh at a Gram Panchayat in Rural India can connect to multiple surrounding villages, thereby providing a significant cost advantage.
BharatNet fibre was connected to GigaMesh at the gram panchayat and wirelessly transmitted to another GigaMesh device which was placed at a government school at Nidavanda. The internet provided at the school was effectively utilised to provide online educational sessions to the students from the teachers of a Bangalore-based NGO, E-Vidyaloka.
Besides, Astrome was awarded a contract to facilitate broadband, 4G and 5G internet connectivity in rural areas through BharatNet fibre. The project was awarded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
