Community Reach (CR) is a community-centered network model, a joint initiative by Jadeite Solutions and IEEE SA that helps rural communities connect, access services, and create livelihood opportunities. By combining readily available rural technologies and infrastructure, such as community radio, wireless networks, and voice-first tools, it delivers practical digital access where broadband connectivity is limited, unreliable, or unaffordable.
Why Community Reach
The first Community Reach (CR) wireless network model was established in the Bhadrak district of Orissa in 2021 and was named Community Reach (CR) Bolo (Bolo means ‘voice’ in Hindi). In 2023, this model was expanded to Almora, Uttarakhand—demonstrating its ability to adapt across regions while remaining locally grounded.
In 2026, the project is going to be expanded in the rural community of Mato Escuro, in the Sertão Sanjoanense, municipality of São João da Barra, RJ (Brazil), and the rural region of Kampala, Uganda.
How It Works
Community Reach combines community radio, point-to-point wireless links, and voice-based services to bring digital access closer to where people live and work.
It turns existing local assets—radio towers, technical capacity, and community trust—into a resilient system for inclusion, service delivery, and entrepreneurship.
Where We Work
The first Community Reach (CR) wireless network model was established in the Bhadrak district of Orissa in 2021 and was named Community Reach (CR) Bolo (Bolo means ‘voice’ in Hindi). In 2023, this model was expanded to Almora, Uttarakhand—demonstrating its ability to adapt across regions while remaining locally grounded.
In 2026, the project is going to be expanded in the rural community of Mato Escuro, in the Sertão Sanjoanense, municipality of São João da Barra, RJ (Brazil), and the rural region of Kampala, Uganda.
Phase I
Piloted a point-to-point wireless network linking three schools and a community radio station in Bhadrak.
Phase II
Expanded hybrid connectivity and IVR services to support youth and community groups with meaningful digital access.
Phase III
Added a hyperlocal voice-based language model to improve access to services, local-language information, and financial inclusion.
Phase IV
Expansion to global rural communities:
| India |
| Bolke Bank: Strengthening meaningful digital inclusion and socio-economic empowerment of women and underserved rural communities by developing and deploying a voice-enabled, hybrid wireless network that provides localized financial, banking, and agri-financial information and services through resilient, low-cost, multilingual, and community-owned digital infrastructure. |
| Brazil |
| Expansion to Mato Escuro, in the Sertão Sanjoanense, municipality of São João da Barra, RJ (Brazil) Creating a hybrid wireless network model for decentralizing the connectivity in the Sertão Sanjoanense, Rio Brazil. |
| Uganda |
| Expansion to the rural region of Kampala, Uganda Connecting the women-led community radio station, Mama FM, with hybrid connectivity and improving the information dissemination services, and reducing the cost of connectivity in nearby locations of Access Points public institutions. |
What It Delivers
- Hyperlocal content, online or offline
- Voice-first access for low-literacy users
- Local pathways to finance, agriculture, and services
- Training and income opportunities for youth and women
- A stronger, more sustainable role for community radio
Impact in Action
- A community network deployed in Bhadrak, Odisha
- Services extended to SHGs and small enterprises
- 50 Wireless Nomad Innovators supporting local operations
- 50 women trained as Bank Mitras through IVR-enabled networks
- A hyperlocal voice model designed for local languages and dialects
Why It Matters Now
Community Reach proves that rural connectivity can be community-led, practical, and scalable. For partners, funders, and local institutions looking for inclusive digital access models, it offers a tested approach rooted in trust, relevance, and local ownership.
An initiative of:
