The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), APC member in India, was honoured at the 2013 International Telecommunications Forum Telcom World in Bangkok on 19 November 2013 for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) – Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Contest to Promote the Transformational Power of Broadband – “Connecting at the Roots”.
In 2010, DEF and the Internet Society launched the “Wireless for Communities” (W4C) project which utilises low-cost Wi-Fi based equipment to connect and empower rural and underserved communities. Thanks to this project, broadband wireless internet connectivity has benefited at least 2,000 Sahariya tribals in India through digital literacy, vocational programs, tele-health programs, and entrepreneurial skill building. The project produced a video about the project and its impact.
The Association for Progressive Communications congratulates Osama Manzar and the DEF team for this well deserved honour in increasing internet accessibility in rural parts of India, empowering communities through use of ICTs, and bridging the digital divide.