Low-cost wireless internet and digital TV The market for internet and TV connection in Madagascar was almost inexistent outside the capital of Antananarivo.The project was executed by Standard Telecom Ltd., a Mauritian company providing satellite broadband services and Gulfsat, a major Malagasy telecommunication operator. The project aimed to offer low-end products which a certain segment of the middle class can afford.The main differences with existing offers are: the customer does not get an own satellite dish, because this will be central and shared amongst customers and the products cannot be customized. The customers do not have to pay start-up cost because these will be divided among all customers and are included in the monthly fee.The internet connection provides a maximum bandwidth of 1 MB. As the connection is shared with the other customers, the actual bandwidth will vary.The TV package offered will comprise a maximum of twenty channels and cannot be customized. The project serves about 6,300 customers; 2,100 with internet access and 4,200 of them with TV connection. For this purpose, new technology developed by Standard Telecom will be used to provide the services wireless, separately or as a combination. 80% of the customers will be households and 20% NGOs and SMEs.The joint venture will provide their services on a prepaid basis and will introduce mobile banking among their customers for this purpose. The project will also reserve 5 frequencies for NGOs who will get free broadcasting time for spreading out their messages on development issues such as health, education, agriculture etc. The project will employ 24 people of which 42% will be women, two of them in management positions.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The project puts great emphasis on acting according to CSR principles. The joint venture will provide good working conditions, e.g. salaries at 310% of minimum level wages, basic medical insurance and an additional one for those who desire that, a social security plan, stimulant for employee development and participation, emphasis on safety measures and financial aid for study cost made by employees for their children. With regard to the environment and their carbon footprint, the project will strive to minimise the use of paper (also subscription and invoices will be done online, by e-mail or SMS text message) and will also purchase solar panels for their energy use.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe joint venture will employ 24 people at the end of the PSI phase and 96 two years later.The project pays great attention to working conditions, namely good pay (310% of minimum wage), social security plan, extensive medical insurance, contracts and working hours according to local laws, stimulation of employee development and participation, emphasis on working safety, zero tolerance towards discrimination and financial aid for sending employees’ children to school.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe technology used being innovative for the country, also the knowledge transferred will be new.Furthermore, there is little knowledge on ICT in the cities the project will service. The project targets young graduates as candidates, so practical knowledge will be transferred which will increase the market value of the people trained.•	Chain effectsThe project will introduce prepaid mobile banking with their target group, which may lead to new products being added to this segment of the population if other companies pick up the concept. The access to internet can lead to extensive entrepreneurial activities being developed in the cities.•	EnvironmentThe project will have a neutral impact on the environment, due to minimisation of paper use and the use of solar energy.•	Position of womenOut of the 24 people employed, 42% will be women. Two of them will have a management position. Providing low cost wireless internet access and digital television packages to 6,300 customers in Antsirabe and Tamatave.