About the project

Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) with a support from Ford Foundation initiated ‘Wireless in Unlicensed Band’ with an objective to adopt specific programmes on advocacy as well as implement ground programmes to address the wider issue of network, access, infrastructure, and media access to communities. The project aims to understand the advantages of unlicensed spectrum in the country and to utilize this spectrum and to address the issues of internet accessibility and connect remote and underserved regions of the country.

Network Demography

Gateway to Malwa and Chambal, Guna is located on the north-eastern part of Malwa Platueau. With a population of 12,40,938 (2011 census), Guna district is bounded by Shivpuri district on the northeast, Ashoknagar district on the east, on the southeast by Vidisha district, on the southwest by Rajgarh district, on the west and northwest by Jhalawar and Baran districts of Rajasthan. Being highly populated with tribal communities, in 2006, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Guna as one of the country’s 250 most backward districts.

Asish Singh

Ashish Singh owns a restaurant cum play club near Guna Railway Station. Usually youngsters go and play online games to have good time at his place. Therefore, he needs high speed internet connection for his online gaming club. Prior to using Guna Wireless Network, he was using BSNL network, which used to go down frequently.

Atul

By profession, Atul is a faculty at Shivangi College located in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh. His basic need of using internet is limited up to surfing internet for his study-oriented work and calling to his family living in his hometown via Skype. Prior to using Guna Wireless Network, he was using 3G monthly plan of Rs. 950.

Anil Lodha

Anil Lodha runs a computer training institute, called Balaji Computer Centre in Guna district. He not only teaches basic computer skills to students but also uses his institute as a cyber café to provide internet based services to local people.

Anju Yadav

Anju works at a CIRC of DEF, where she provides online services to local community. These services include Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) making job card and payment info, applying for jobs, booking train tickets and providing information about various government schemes.