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

[Meddie Mayanja]

Agree, Jean Paul.

There is a lot of experience already on these kind of initiativies (using cheap equipment for wireless connectivity). Joseph Sekiku and his team in Tanzania has a lot of offer. All we need is clear expression of interest to initiate a training.

Best, Meddie

-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org [mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of NKURUNZIZA Jean Paul
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 9:36 AM
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] Tips for setting up a wireless internet where there are few resources

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
Tél: 00257 22 21 96 45
Tél Mob : 00257 76 60 49 46/00257 79 981 459 Fax : 00257 212485 ou 00257 222147 E.Mail : nkurunziza at bytc.bi ou
         jnkurunz at hotmail.com
Site web : http://www.bytc.bi


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