Watch Communications is Latest Microsoft Airband Partner, Partnership Aims to Reach 3.78 Million People

The latest Microsoft Airband partner is Watch Communications, which will work with Microsoft to bring high-speed broadband to 50 counties in IN, 22 counties in IL, and most counties in OH. The Microsoft Watch Communications partnership will use a variety of broadband technologies, with an emphasis on fixed wireless operating in TV white spaces. TV white spaces technology uses vacant TV broadband spectrum, incorporating database technology to ensure that broadband providers only use spectrum that is available for unlicensed use in a geographic area. Watch Communications acquired several other providers in recent years and was one of the biggest winners in the Connect America Fund -- Phase II auction of rural broadband funding, having received $52 million to expand rural broadband coverage across its 3 state territory. The partnership hopes to eventually cover 3.78 million people across the three states, 808,000 of which are in rural markets and currently unserved, according to Microsoft.