[UgaBYTES] Tips for setting up a wireless internet where there are few resources

[NKURUNZIZA Jean Paul]

Very interesting !

I think we should have such training sessions in our networks. We also
need to spead the use of solar power techniques within our telecenter
practitionners. What do others think ?
> Dear members,
>
> I think could of interest to you.
>
> Enjoy........
>
> source: apc.org
>
> Alex Gondwe is a techie at the Baobab Health Partnership in Malawi. He is
> setting up internet connections between health institutions to improve
> patient care and HIV/AIDS data collection.
>
> Wireless technologies offer developing countries a low-cost alternative to
> existing internet infrastructure and Alex was one of more than a hundred
> qualified and self-taught technicians, who were trained in wireless as
> part
> of APC's community wireless in Africa project which ran from 2005-6. The
> project also inspired a Latin American version, TRICALCAR.
> "There were some principles that I learned in the APC workshop that have
> helped me to work in resource-constrained environments," said Alex Gondwe
> of
> the Baobab Health Partnership. APC paraphrases them here.
>
> 1. Keep it simple. We have been able to set up wireless links using cheap
> hardware. We acquired some Cisco bridges which were lying idle after an
> organisation decided to make changes to the type of hardware that they use
> on their network. We use these on our longer links.
>
> 2. Stable power is a challenge, especially in rural areas. We designed a
> battery power backup system. When the power on the grid is out, the backup
> system can sustain the network and all the computers for six hours. The
> computers we use consume very little power. We have also set up windmills
> as
> a source of power for rural areas.
>
> 3. Construct free-standing, cheap and reliable steel towers for
> connections.
> This has proved to be more cost effective in the long run than having to
> pay
> rentals on tall buildings or existing towers.
>
> 4. Use GNU/Linux for both servers and workstations. No worries about
> licenses and anti-viruses. Our workstations do not have hard drives. We
> install the OS on an on-board chip. We use no mouse or keyboard; they have
> touch screens which is ideal for our often rural set-ups.
>
> Wireless trainees in Africa are advocates
>
> Alex's responses were part of a survey that APC carried out last year to
> find out what the over one hundred community wireless technicians were
> doing
> with their training. The survey of trainees showed that:
>
> $B!|(B 53% have installed one or more wireless networks, 83% of which
> are
> non-commercial in nature.
> $B!|(B 58% have trained others.
> $B!|(B More than 50% have passed on training materials.
> $B!|(B Nearly half have provided advice.
> $B!|(B One-third are maintaining or administering a wireless network.
> $B!|(B One in five is now managing a project using wireless technolog
>
> Source: apc.org
>
>
> Best,
>
> --
> Ndaula Ahmed
> Program officer,
> Technology management
> UgaBYTES Initiative
> Plot 2218 Ggaba Road, Kabalagala
> 2nd Floor, Kangave House
> P.O. Box 6081 Kampala, Uganda
> Mobl: +256 773 066 343 / 702 066 343
> Off: +256-414-267247
> Check our web: www.ugabytes.org
> http://www.ahmedpanel.com
>
>
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-- 
NKURUNZIZA Jean Paul
Président du Réseau des Télécentres Communautaires  du Burundi
Secrétaire Général de BYTC
B.P 7031 BUJUMBURA BURUNDI
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E.Mail : nkurunziza at bytc.bi ou
         jnkurunz at hotmail.com
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