Huawei has upgraded the internet on its DigiTruck to 5G as it seeks to increase the internet speeds and numbers of youth who can benefit from training on digital skills, aiming to reach at least 1,200 youth in the next year.
Speaking during the official launch of the Huawei CPE Pro 2 on DigiTruckn, Ian Korir, the firm’s CSR Coordinator explained that the significance of the upgrade lay in DigiTruck’s new capability to deliver a 5G experience to the learners on the program. A CPE (Customer Premises Equipment), often also known colloquially as a router, or a dongle, is a device with a sim card inside that connects to a mobile network and provides Wi-Fi access to devices nearby to connect to that network. Therefore, even non-5G devices can use Wi-Fi to connect to the CPE and benefit from the 5G speeds.
“Ultimately, we plan to cover all 47 counties in Kenya, to deliver the much-needed digital skills to all people, leaving no one behind,” said Korir.
Huawei’s CPE Pro 2 powered by 5G facilitates high speed internet that enables online learning for children across the country. This will enable children to have fast learning practical experience in experiments, coding and programming. It has 5G antennas and supports multiple 5G frequency bands to get the best coverage and capacity. CPE Pro 2 also allows students to upload videos in an instant, livestream in 4K high-definition graphics and unlock the full potential of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Korir noted that the DigiTruck’s newly enhanced features will power additional lessons for the Kenyan youth as they troop to start and run online businesses in line with the government’s digital masterplan.
Korir pointed out that Huawei, together with its partners, who are Safaricom Women in Technology, Kenya National Innovation Agency, National Youth Council and ICT Authority, continue to leverage on partnerships in each of the locations visited across the country including county and national government and regional technology hubs such as Swahili Pot in Mombasa. The team kicked off school visits that are expected to take at least one week across several learning institutions in Mombasa County
Safaricom’s Women In Technology Vice Chair, Dianah Ogeto noted that the partnership between the two firms would foster greater hands-on learning experience, which would thus promote their mantra of see-and-believe model that they use to steer the children to STEM uptake in schools through one their programs that include Kids In Tech.
For the past three and half years, Huawei’s Digitruck has provided access to ICT skills training for more than 3,000 youth across 25 counties in Kenya. Previously it has used a 4G CPE to provide connectivity but with the Safaricom 5G network rapidly expanding across the country felt it appropriate timing to upgrade the CPE to benefit from the faster speeds. Where 5G networks are not available, the CPE will connect to Safaricom’s 4G network which covers around 97% of the population.
“In this rapidly evolving digital era, having proficient digital skills has become a necessity rather than a luxury. The DigiTruck serves as a transformative platform that empowers young individuals by bridging the digital divide and creating awareness of digital skills across the whole country but specifically targeting the underserved population. This awareness helps them to know what is available in the job market as career options, opportunities of learning that can spark an interest in furthering their education and for the business enthusiasts to discover various platforms that can enable their business growth and expansion. Moreover, the DigiTruck fosters a spirit of innovation and creativity, encouraging young minds to explore their potential and pursue entrepreneurial endeavors in the digital realm,” explained Korir.
Also Read: DigiTruck mobile computer lab seeks to train 10,000 youth in Kenya annually
