Thanks for sharing this Glenn. Wasn't aware of the grant funding but now that I am, I think I will push ICT4D Jamaica to explore it. Almost 18 years ago as part of a network systems provisioning practice I ran for a conglomerate, we allowed an agricultural-based company to move their hq from KIN to a rural location without telecoms infrastructure some 20 miles away as the crow flies by delivering their POTS service over a 2.4GHz ISM channel. That was my first glimmer of what could be done; the company we worked with was called Cabletron (later Enterasys) which pioneered ASICs for network applications. And for more than 8 years now we have been advocating for conditions conducive to building community broadband wireless networks with interconnection rights to the national backbone as a practical way to connect the underserved and the commercially-hard-to-serve. Can't say we've had much success; a small one was created in a small farming community in St Mary Parish but for want of stable interconnection and affordability it kinda withered away. [Coincidentally, a youngster who worked for me and migrated to work for Nortel did the engineering with 'open' platforms.] Some regulations have to be changed to enable stability, capacity and sustainability. So for example, we have been pushing for more unlicensed wi-fi spectrum by reallocation; I wrote a briefing paper pushing for some in the 5GHz band. Maybe it is serendipity but I now understand Google is thinking re-allocation as well because it fits into their plans for alternate bandwidth provisioning means as per Project Loon and other such initiatives. [I gather the Canadians are opposed on account of possible satcom interference.] So this is being proposed for adoption at WRC-15 later this year in Geneva; the proposal is for a study. We're pushing local authorities in the region to reserve and assign smaller chunks of licensed spectrum for use as 'demonstration' plots, which would enable assignment for community networks; ECTEL, the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Regulatory Authority already does. Looking also for re-assignment of spectrum vacated by over-the-air UHF/VHF tv when they go digital in about 5 years + the white spaces now. The topic is of great interest so anything you find out and can share would be greatly appreciated. Cheers. CAS ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* ============================= ------------------------------
Message: 3 Date: Wed, 27 May 2015 07:56:25 -0400 From: Glenn McKnight <mcknight.glenn@gmail.com> To: NA Discuss <na-discuss@atlarge-lists.icann.org> Subject: [NA-Discuss] Building Wirelss Community Networks
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
http://communitytechnology.github.io/files/posts/041814-Case-Study-Sayada.pd...
I'm wondering if anyone in NARALO took advantage of the grant from Open Technology Institute and rolled out a MESH Network anywhere in our region.
I have attached a case study from Sayada, Tunisia
I will be filming a series of IEEE sessions at the International Humanitarian Technology Conference including projects deployed in Nicaragua next week. G
< http://communitytechnology.github.io/files/posts/041814-Case-Study-Sayada.pd...
Glenn McKnight mcknight.glenn@gmail.com skype gmcknight twitter gmcknight .