The funding is integral to a smart grid initiative and broadband service based on an open-connectivity fiber optic backbone network.

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The company still has power from 750-kilowatt diesel generator and Internet connectivity from a fiber optic connection, and Barnett has been regularly updating his blog with firsthand reports of the disaster and its aftermath.

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The satellite and fiber-optic communication network, which has so far spread to 12 countries on the continent, is designed to provide connectivity between Indian institutions and 54 African countries, as well as facilitating easy video-conferencing among heads of states across Africa.

CNN: India bids to be Africa's 'new best friend'