Mali Community Radio & Cybertigis

Providing ICTs to rural and remote locations in North Africa, VIA teamed up with IESC Geekcorps, an international, non-profit organization that promotes stability and prosperity in the developing world through ICTs. Geekcorps established a Community Radio Broadcasting Station based on the VIA pc-1 processor platform in Bourem Inaly, providing the local community with information and entertainment through radio and video.

In addition, VIA also donated twelve VIA pc-1 PHD systems to selected Internet kiosks, or Cybertigis, as they are known in Mali, in order to provide the locals with Internet access and the necessary computing infrastructure to get connected to the outside world, enable online communication and the opportunity to gain valuable information and computing skills.

The VIA pc-1 PHD systems are able to withstand harsh environmental conditions, making them ideal for use in rural and remote locations such as that of the desert regions in Mali. The ultra low power consumption of the systems (less than 30 watts) lowers the total cost of operation and allows the usage of only one solar panel or a car battery.