We need to learn a lesson from this kind of intiatives
CWRC Launches Community Wireless Networks in two telecentres
In July 2007, community wireless networks were implemented at telecentres in Lira and Nabweru by the Community Wireless Resource Centre (CWRC). The CWRC team included CWRC staff and four electrical engineering students who are doing industrial training under CWRC. This intervention arose out of the need to reduce the high cost of internet connectivity at IDRC-supported telecentres in Uganda, to explore optimal connectivity models such as sharing the existing bandwidth with neighboring institutions via outdoor wireless networks and to provide internet access to these partners without need for heavy initial investments in satellite hardware and subscriptions. It is anticipated that these networks will enhance sustainability of internet access at these telecentres.
In Lira, a total of three partners have been connected to the telecentre wirelessly and can now access the internet at their premises. In Nabweru, a total of three partners have also been connected. The CWRC team now heads to Kabale to implement similar wireless networks in Kabale town and Kachwekano (which is located
approximately 8 km from Kabale town). The design of these networks considers the telecentre to be the hub of the network where all other sites are connected. In cases where line of sight links to the telecentre are not possible, connection between the hub and the partner site is accomplished via a repeater. Therefore, in this arrangement, the telecentre acts as a wireless internet access point to its partners.
Juma Okee, the IT officer at CPAR (Lira telecentre) had this to say, “On behalf of CPAR, I would like to express my appreciation to the CWRC team for the great job well done at our telecentre in Lira. The CWRC project is a blessing for rural connectivity over distances. CWRC has really come at a time when we needed it most.
CWRC provides training opportunities to electrical/telecommunication engineering students. In its first year, three students got this opportunity. This time round, four students are training with CWRC. They are taking part in setting up the wireless networks, configuring wireless equipment, procuring equipment, updating the CWRC website (http://tech.mak.ac.ug/cwrc), blogging, etc. Lillian Olule, one of the students, had this to say, “It’s a great place to train. From my
experience, we gain a wide range of experience in wireless technology, we travel and the environment favors learning. It tickles you to rise to finding solutions.” Ssanyu Nalule, another student, said, “It has borne fruit in extending communication to rural areas for sustainability”. Emmanuel Miyingo says, “It is excellent training
since it translates theoretical knowledge into practical work.” Peterson Mwesiga, another student, says, “Training with the CWRC has been such a fruitful venture whose relevance in my prospective career development cannot be over-emphasized.”
The Community Wireless Resource Centre (CWRC) was established within the Department of Electrical Engineering (Faculty of Technology, Makerere University) with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Canadian organization. This initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Electrical Engineering, Makerere University and IT +46, an ICT consultancy firm that provides technical support. IT +46, which has over ten years experience, works
with grassroots organizations, academia, as well as regulators in both developing and developed countries. IT+46 is based in Stockholm, Sweden. The aim of this initiative is to make connectivity more affordable for Telecentres by implementing a communication infrastructure that is shared and managed by the community. Such
concept is known as “Community Wireless Network”, and it is based on the possibility for groups or communities to build self-owned and operated networks. Hence, the projects would be in line with Uganda’s rural communication development priority of “affordable communication services for all”.
Source: CWRC Press Release, 3 August 2007
Sudip Aryal
NRIDS
it’s a moment of pleasure to read all this. but this is just a begaining . we have to work collaboratively to built our district and make it a ideal one despite of the Nepal’s political ups and down.
thank’s to the pioneer’s building the syangja.com
Comment by suresh regmi — June 5, 2008 @ 1:22 am