Zena Kebede of Microsoft

The Challenge:

 For many, high speed internet access is as ubiquitous as electricity and running water. From the comfort of our own homes we can attend courses and earn degrees, shop for countless products from around the world, and collaborate seamlessly with colleagues in different time zones. Less than a generation ago, those things were impossible.

This new level of connectedness has fostered growth in our educational institutions, economies, and governments. But as a global population, we haven’t benefited equally. Nearly half the world’s population still does not use the internet. In the U.S., when we look at the broadband coverage data issued by the FCC, we know that at least 18.3 million people, over 14 million of which reside in rural areas, lack access to broadband. There’s strong evidence, though, that the percentage of Americans without broadband access is much higher than the figures reported by the FCC.

In Latin America, Asia, and Africa at least three billion people are not using the internet and over one billion people lack reliable access to energy. In addition, The UN State of Broadband Report found that broadband adoption has slowed, and progress is especially elusive in low-income countries and rural areas across the globe. Most of the connected population relies on low speed, basic cellular services; only 14.1% of the global population has an in-home internet subscription. Further at least 1.1 billion lack reliable access to energy, makes broadband connectivity even more difficult.

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Biography:

BIO:

I am an Electrical Engineer and Certified Wireless Network Specialist  (CWS) currently working as a technical program manager in Microsoft Airband Initiative team supporting both US and international team with technical design and implementation of Airband Engineering projects globally. We work with internet service providers and other partners to provide broadband internet access.

I have more than 10 years of wireless telecommunications experience at different capacities including planning, optimization, technical leadership and project management.

Some of the companies I have worked in the past role include Sprint, Samsung, Alcatel Lucent. Throughout my career I have been consistently working in solving and providing internet access using hybrid (wired and wireless technologies) including TVWS.

Academic Background:

Bachelor of Science  in Electrical  Engineering  -  Addis Ababa University (2008)

Master of Technology  in Electronics and Computer Engineering-  Addis Ababa University (2010)

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering -  West Virginia University (2014)

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