The remote rural community of Baan Nong Pai in Thailand has joined the larger world, thanks to Sat-Ed's "Room for Life," a satellite-based broadband service providing e-mail, e-commerce, videoconferencing and an educational video-on-demand digital library.

Young people in the village have access for the first time to vocational and technical training; farmers can find information about new agricultural techniques; and local craftspeople can sell their wares on eBay. Residents can stay in touch through videoconferencing with family members who have moved to the city.

"Room for Life" is available at a learning center in the village. Most of the interactive content is delivered over IPTV, because adult residents are more comfortable with the TV-remote control interface than with the unfamiliar PC interface.

A video about the project can be seen here.