Microsoft is offering $75,000 in grants to for-profit businesses that can develop low cost connectivity solutions, cloud based solutions and business models that bring the Internet to underserved markets. As examples of initiatives already live, Microsoft points towards a number of initiatives, including a service in Bhutan which uses white-spaces spectrum to deliver e-Health. Microsoft is looking to partner with Internet access providers and public and private sector entities for enabling this. The terms and conditions put forth by Microsoft: Solution must: - Leverage low-cost forms of Internet connectivity - Demonstrate innovative approaches to selling cloud services geared for underserved markets - Integrate localized payment platforms and consumption models designed for customers in relevant markets Applications are open till Jan 15th 2016, 11:59 PM Pacific Time. The applicants also need to have a working solution and prove that their business can scale to new markets, and "Present a business plan free of legal and regulatory impediments." Microsoft's isn't the first initiative looking to develop services for enabling and encouraging access, while giving grants in terms of free access to their technology and resources: Facebook has linked its Fbstart initiative with Internet.org. Fbstart gives Facebook advertising credits and access to Facebook's technology. Two Fbstart companies from India are Cardback and Samosa. Microsoft and Net Neutrality in India Microsoft has an ambiguous stand on Net Neutrality in India: its search engine Bing is a part of Facebook's Internet.org/FreeBasics, which violates Net Neutrality. At the same time Microsoft has spoken out fairly strongly…
