U.S. launches innovative technology program to connect rural Mongolia to outside world

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – The US Agency for International Development announces the grand opening of the Last Mile Initiative in Mongolia. Last Mile Mongolia supports USAID/Mongolia’s strategic objective to accelerate private-sector led economic growth by deploying voice over internet communications to herder communities in remote areas. The technology used is the first application of its kind and demonstrates how a low-bandwidth wireless internet connection, known as “VoIP”, can be used to bring affordable voice communication using a system similar to Skype but without the need for a computer.

“This is a proud moment for USAID,” says USAID Representative to Mongolia Barry Primm. “We’re now able to connect these otherwise remote and out of reach communities using US telecommunications equipment and local Mongolian technical  know-how. This is the kind of program that has a positive long-term impact on Mongolia’s rural economy.”

Last Mile Mongolia follows a competitive process used in selecting pilot communities. Soums and baghs in Bayan Ulgi, Arkhangai, Khentii and Bulgan are participating in the pilot. In a nationwide tender in 2006, Ulaanbaatar-based Incomnet was competitively selected to establish the network that now provides VoIP access to approximately 3,000 rural population, enabling them to connect to the outside world.

Journalist’s Note: This program was made possible with funding from USAID’s Asia/Near East Bureau and the Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade (EGAT).  Key technical assistance and project oversight was provided by AED and the dot‑ORG program in Washington, D.C. and locally through Intec Corporation.