StreamSpot+

A solar powered, mobile operated Hub that offers offline streaming, mobile device charging, and digital educational services for unconnected populations like rural villages and refugee camps.

Past and Current Partners

SDG Accelerator Program (Google Startup Program), Unreasonable Group

Active Countries

India, Bangladesh, Nigeria

Thematic area(s)

Crisis, Gender, Inclusive Growth

Technology

White Label

Organisation Name

BuffaloGrid

The Problem

StreamSpot+ is solving the problem of the digital divide, where almost half the population, that is 4 billion people of the world have never experienced the Internet. Yet, 3.4 billion people have access to 3G and 4G. The issue has nothing to do with connectivity but rather the lack of highly scalable, low cost and user friendly solutions; as well as digital skills, affordability, infrastructure (main power to charge devices and fibre optics for readily available affordable connectivity) and relevance of content to support development. The target group StreamSpot+ is addressing are populations in remote, off-grid developing regions; individuals who live in refugee and settlement camps and rural areas who lack the opportunity to engage with the Internet. Places with poor infrastructure, and fast growing smartphone penetration.

The Solution

StreamSpot+ Hubs enable free access to mobile device charging and offer carefully selected, regionally relevant offline streaming and digital educational services.

How it works?

Step 1: Partnering with UN Agencies and local content providers in-country to help deploy Hubs and facilitate local leadership.
Step 2: Content managers upload and manage content via BuffaloGrid Cloud (Microsoft Azure).
Step 3: Hub is deployed to the location, connected to the local mobile network via SIM card and updates regularly. Units are solar-powered and act as a charging facility for mobile devices. Mobile Network enabled, with no Internet or fibre optics needed.
Step 4: Local agents are trained to use and explain StreamSpot+ Hub.
Step 5: Hubs provide consistent quality offline WiFi access to pre-selected and pre-loaded content on the App. Hubs buffer content and deliver a consistent and flawless streaming and downloading experience through the App for free.
Step 6: Users can download content onto their phone and save it for later when they are not near the Hub. Content topics include Education, Health, Entertainment and Sports.

Bridging the digital divide

The service removes barriers for people at the bottom of the economic pyramid to adopt and engage with the Internet. It enables people living in off-grid or grid-edge communities to charge their phones and stream.The solution targets users in rural areas such as women, refugees and host communities all of whom are more likely to be left behind digitally.

Impact and highlights

The StreamSpot increases footfall and revenue to local shops (Increase of 50% in revenues of agent shops where StreamSpots were stationed), schools, community centres, etc. 600 Average users are served by each Hub. 10-15 simultaneous users can download content, with thousands of downloads per day. 10-20 simultaneous users can stream content and 10 simultaneous users can power their phones from the Hub. Provided over a quarter of a million phone charges to almost 100,000 unique users in India.
600 Average users are served by each Hub.
10-15 simultaneous users can download content, with thousands of downloads per day.
10-20 simultaneous users can stream content and 10 simultaneous users can power their phones from the Hub.
Provided over a quarter of a million phone charges to almost 100,000 unique users in India.

Plans for expansion

In Q3 2022, the first Hubs in Lagos, Nigeria will be deployed with UNHCR in BidiBidi Camp in Uganda. With Robi Axiata in Bangladesh and in Zambia with INTRACEN.They are currently working with Techfugees to bring the solution to refugee camps across Sub-Saharan Africa.

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