Articles, PDFs, Slides ...

What is an OPLAN? (PDF document, 119Kb) by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2007-12-04 09:36

What is an OPLAN? 1-page summary of some of the main defining characteristics of an OPLAN Reproduced from this website

Wireless Communications and Computing at a Crossroads: New Paradigms and Their Impact on Theories Governing the Public's Right to Spectrum Access (PDF document, 377Kb) by Patrick S. Ryan — last modified 2007-10-17 18:03

Abstract: Over the past few decades, many paradigm shifts have changed our view of the interrelationship of science and law. Future developments promise that wireless devices will continue to become simultaneously less expensive and more powerful. As distributed and mesh theories are being applied to wireless communications, we should endeavor to develop policy proposals that endow users of the new wireless devices with technology-neutral rights and obligations. The Wireless Device Bill of Rights - an initiative advanced by Bran Ferren, Kalle Konsten and others (and which borrows from the principles of Paul Baran's research) - is one early model to address the rights and obligations of spectrum users by delineating simple rules for what users of the wireless spectrum (in an open spectrum environment) can do rather than what they cannot do. In addition to describing the Wireless Device Bill of Rights, this article questions whether Ronald Coase's scholarship on wireless technologies - which was made prior to the widespread use of digital signaling - may be valuable today's all-digital world. Patrick S. Ryan : University of Colorado at Boulder, Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program; Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) - Interdisciplinary Center for Law and Information Technology (ICRI)

Nepal Wireless Networking Project - Case Study and Evaluation Report (PDF document, 2872Kb) by Mahabir Pun, Robin Shields, Rajendra Poudel, Philip Mucci — last modified 2007-09-28 12:21

The paper documents the remarkable story and background to the OPLAN project in Nepal, driven by Mahabir Pun and his colleagues. Started by connecting Himanchal High School of Nangi, Nepal to the Internet, it has now expanded considerably. This project is an exemplar for the life-enhancing benefits to a community of an open access deployment of digital network technologies. As Mahabir writes; "I worked step-by-step with the villagers and a team of international volunteers to achieve this goal. We built a micro hydro generator in the village. I learned how to assemble computers from donated parts in wooden boxes. By 2003, we had set up a limited Internet connection using Wi- fi technology. This project was formally started in 2003 as Nepal Wireless Networking Project to continue expanding the network throughout the area. Today, we have connected fourteen villages to the network and expanded our services to include telemedicine, distance education and telephone service. We have come a long way since 1996, but we still have much further to go. We hope it will continue to prosper due to the improving political situation in Nepal." http://www.nepalwireless.net

VoIPocalypse Now: How Google, Skype, and Yahoo! Will Change Fixed Telcos Models (PDF document, 446Kb) by Nick Holland, Senior Analyst — last modified 2007-09-28 12:08

Published by Pyramid Research, the Executive Summary states: VoIP has been nothing short of a nightmare for fixed operators. Faced with the onerous choice of either losing PSTN revenues to third-party VoIP services or losing revenues to in-house VoIP, telcos can do little to stem the accelerated decline of voice revenues in an inevitable zero sum game. So far, VoIP has been predominantly the domain of telcos, cable operators, and third party providers such as Vonage. However, Internet goliaths (Microsoft, Yahoo!, Google, Ebay, and AOL) may shortly muscle in on the action. They certainly have the means, but do they have the motivation? We anticipate that these companies will indeed decide to move to the provision of VoIP services in both PC-dependent and PC-independent forms over the next few years. There are clearly revenues to be made, and with a large and relatively untapped base of Instant Messaging and P2P VoIP subscribers, it may not be difficult to monetize VoIP calls terminating on fixed and mobile lines. This could be highly disruptive for telcos, already sandbagging against the combined threats of fixed mobile substitution and VoIP offered by rival telcos, cable operators, and third parties."

Djurslands.net : in-depth study for InfoDev by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2007-04-27 08:00

The In-Depth Case study covering the Djurslands.net experience was prepared as part of the OPLAN Foundation's project undertaken for InfoDev at the World Bank. This study is of 7 open access network initiatives around the world selected by the OPLAN Foundation as being beacon projects. As founder of DjurslandS.net and educational leader of the “Djursland International Institute of Rural Wireless Broadband” Bjarke Nielsen has written the report on behalf of the Djursland society.

Singapore - providing the world with a beacon OPLAN? by Malcolm Matson , 2007 — last modified 2007-04-26 15:20

Singapore, the small city-state in South East Asia is well on the road to implementing an OPLAN strategy that could become the exemplar for other cities wishing to gain competitive advantage in the information age. This article explores some of the specific reasons why Singapore could be better placed than many to achieve this.

Freifunk: Germany's User-Run Network Explodes Beyond Its Borders by Indrajit Basu , 2007 — last modified 2007-04-26 15:18

 

Proxicommunication - ICT and the local public realm (PDF document, 1327Kb) by William Davies — last modified 2007-03-21 12:09

Publisjhed by the Work Foundation (Chairman, Will Hutton) as part of their iSociety, this is an important contribution to the debate on the relevance of new ICT technologies to the local, community environment. From the Executive Summary: "Information and communication technology (ICT) is habitually seen as weakening the dependence communities have on shared locality. ICTs enable larger and more dispersed social groups to coordinate themselves through the use of telecommunications, publishing and broadcasting. Over the past decade, a number of new ICTs have entered mainstream society in the UK, including the internet and mobile phones, and early analyses tended to depict them as long-distance communication devices.The internet in particular was associated with globalisation, and seen to remove the constraints that geography places on social interaction."

Trends in telecommunications services - does the traditional operator have the advantage? (PDF document, 142Kb) by George Salisbury — last modified 2007-02-09 14:27

This insightful article is significant both, for what it states and for who it is written by. The Author, George Salisbury, is a Managing Consultant for Detecom (part of the Deutsche Telecom family) and is in charge of the "technology Strategy" Group. He prefaces his insightful article with the statement, "The multi-faceted developments with telecommunications are leading to an increasing number of players entering the market who intend to use these developments to attack the traditional providers' market share with new business models. It is with the backdrop of this increased competition that this article attempts to assess the traditional telecommnications service provders' chances and to identify ways in which the telcos of the future can hold on to their position at the front of the field."

France rolls out Open Public Local Access Networks (PDF document, 53Kb) by Kenneth Murricane — last modified 2007-01-22 20:56

At the start of 2007, the Government of France is well underway in the implementation of a broadband strategy to ensure the provision of ubiquitous and affordable high-speed and very high-speed connectivity and services throughout France. The basis of the policy framework is unquestionable founded on OPLAN principles. The programme involves the building and operation of new IP (internet protocol) OPLANs developed through public-private partnerships on a regional and community basis but with substantial financial support from central government. The European Commission has given a 'thumbs up' to this vanguard grand plan for France.

Localizing the Internet: 5 ways public ownership solves the US broadband problem (PDF document, 1071Kb) by Becca Vargo Daggett — last modified 2007-01-10 19:38

This timely report notes that high speed broadband is becoming ever more widespread. But, it argues, the way in which that broadband is introduced may be as important as whether it is introduced. Many telecommunications companies are offering to build a citywide wireless or even wired network at little or no upfront cost to the city. That arrangement is especially attractive to local elected officials who fear that government lacks the expertise to manage a high tech network and who worry about the possible impact on their budget. “This is an excellent time to remember to look that gift horse in the mouth,” maintains Becca Vargo Daggett, the report’s author and the director of the Institute’s Telecommunication as Commons Project. “Even deals framed as coming at no cost to the city require the public sector to enter into extended contracts to pay millions for their own services over the new privately owned network. Cities owe it to themselves and their citizens to carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of public ownership.” Ms. Vargo Daggett also notes that cities that own infrastructure like roads and water pipelines should not fear owning the physical information network. “Concerns about obsolescence are overstated. Fiber optics is the gold standard, with essentially unlimited capacity and a lifespan measured in decades. Wireless technology is rapidly evolving, but its price is low and the payback period is short.” Moreover, unlike investments in traditional infrastructure, an investment in information networks can generate a significant return. “The investment will not only pay for itself, but can generate revenue that can pay for other important municipal services.

Broadband for Rural Development : A-BARD Policy Briefing (PDF document, 12526Kb) by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2007-01-10 16:25

Analysing Broadband Access for Rural Development (A-BARD) was a 24 month Coordination Action to research rural broadband provision and use, as part of the Scientific Support to Policies (SSP www.cordis.lu/fp6/support.htm ) in the EU Sixth Framework Programme (www.cordis.lu/fp6). Starting in January 2005, A-BARD has been continuously identifying views on the issues and barriers to widespread broadband provision and the extent to which broadband can act as an external driver of change in rural economies. This is the final report

A Dynamic Perspective on Government Broadband Initiatives (PDF document, 400Kb) by The Reason Foundation — last modified 2007-01-08 11:05

This Reason Foundation study written by Jerry Ellig, former deputy director and acting director of the Federal Trade Commission's Office of Policy Planning, outlines seven key factors that municipal officials should fully address before moving forward with plans for municipal broadband and Wi-Fi to ensure that the projects are technologically and financially viable. The study also cautions city officials to beware of "geeks bearing gifts," suggesting that companies like EarthLink and Google are interested in providing free Wi-Fi because the deals will give them rights-of-way and valuable access to public infrastructure like light and telephone poles. This worthy study is seriously weakened by its failure to undertake any examination of the state-sustained 'vertical integration' of the current telecoms/cable sectors and, in our view, wrongly concludes, that the current competition between 'service providers' is evidence of a successful free market.

Actions speak louder than words (PDF document, 181Kb) by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2007-01-04 16:41

January 2007 note on fund raising - circulated to mailling list

Triple Play at Affordable cost in Andhra Pradesh (India) (PDF document, 1186Kb) by Y L Agarwal — last modified 2006-12-22 21:21

Not strictly an OPLAN, this rural development in India none the less holds interesting information and experience relevant to OPLAN development in emerging markets. This detailed case-study was written by Y.L.Agarwal for InfoDev, The World Bank as part of the broader local open access study undertaken for the Bank by the OPLAN Foundation

Knysna (South Africa) - Open Access Netowork Case Study (PDF document, 423Kb) by Uninet Communications — last modified 2006-12-22 21:21

A detailed case study prepared by Uninet Communications (www.uninet.co.za) of the OPLAN they have developed for The Knysna Municipality, part of the Eden District Municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa (SA). With a population of just 50 000 (as of 2001), spanning an area of over 1000 km1, this study, undertaken for the World Bank as part of the OPLAN Foundation's wider study, provides a wealth of practical information and example of 'best pactice' .

Wireless Ghana - A Case Study (PDF document, 1251Kb) by Boateng Ebenezer; Gideon Amoah; John Atkinson — last modified 2006-12-22 19:47

An in-depth case study of the Wireless Ghana project commissioned by and developed for the World Bank’s infoDev group. This document has been prepared by a team of individuals working with Community Based Libraries and Information Technology (CBLit) at the Apirede Community Resource Center (ACRC), in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Wireless Ghana is a project of Community-Based Libraries and Information Technology (CBLit), a non-government organization based in both Ghana and the United States. The Wireless Ghana project is a rural project. It was initiated at the Apirede Resource Center (CBLit’s first Community Resource Center) in 2005 in response to the local community’s requests for connectivity to help them break their isolation and move their children and community closer to the 21st century, and be competitive with their urban counterparts. Apirede is in the Akwapim1 North district in the Eastern Region of Ghana. This district has seventeen towns and several villages with a total population of about 1.2 million people.

Municipal Provision of Wireless Internet - FTC Staff Report by Malcolm Matson — last modified 2006-12-22 20:57

An extensive historical, technical and political summary of the development of MuniWireless in the USA. Published in September 2006 by staff members of the Federal Trade Commission, USA. The Summary CONCLUSIONS: The decision of whether, and through what vehicle, a municipality should facilitate or provide wireless Internet service requires a highly fact-specific analysis that is not amenable to a one-size-fits-all policy recommendation. For example, the situation of a large metropolitan area served by multiple wireline telecommunications providers and high-speed cellular Internet technology is quite different from that of a small rural town with only one or no wireline telecommunications providers and low-speed cellular service. Moreover, municipalities offer their residents varying levels of governmental services, some of which may potentially be supported more efficiently through the addition of a wireless Internet network. Accordingly, rather than attempt to provide a single answer, this report provides guidance for policymakers considering whether and how a municipality should involve itself in the provision of wireless Internet service. It sets forth a framework that recognizes that the relevance of arguments for and against municipal involvement may vary depending on the particular factual circumstances. In addition, by identifying a range of operating models, the framework suggests a variety of options available to policymakers. Guiding this approach is a concern for competition principles, and the framework’s overall approach attempts to reduce the likelihood of competitive harm in this area. Finally, the report discusses process considerations, such as transparency and accountability, that can improve the decisionmaking process overall. CONTENTS PART I MAJOR WIRELESS INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES AND THE MECHANICS OF IMPLEMENTATION...........................................................................................................6 A. Wireless Internet Standards Using Unlicensed Radio Band Spectrum........6 B. Wireless Internet Standards Using Licensed Radio Band Spectrum.........10 C. Satellite Technologies.............................................................................................10 D. Broadband Over Power Lines...............................................................................11 E. Legal Status of Wireless Broadband Internet...................................................12 PART II OPERATING MODELS.....................................................................................13 A. Non-Profit Model.......................................................................................................13 B. Cooperative Model...................................................................................................14 C. Contracting Out Model............................................................................................14 D. Public-Private Partnership Model........................................................................15 E. Municipal Model........................................................................................................17 F. Government Loan-Grant Model.............................................................................17 PART III ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF MUNICIPAL WIRELESS INTERNET............18 A. Incumbent Providers Have Been Slow to Offer Broadband in Certain Areas and Municipal Provision Could Increase Competition............................19 B. Wireless Internet Networks May Improve the Efficiency of Traditional Municipal Services......................................................................................................20 C. Municipal Provision of Wireless Internet May be More Cost-Effective Than Traditional Wireline Technologies or Private Provision..........................21 D. Wireless Internet Networks May Produce Positive Externalities..............22 E. Political Accountability and Competition Among Municipalities Reduces the Risk of Inefficient Provision.............................................................24 PART IV ARGUMENTS AGAINST MUNICIPAL WIRELESS INTERNE...................26 A. Performance of Government Enterprises.......................................................26 B. Incentives of Government Enterprises to Engage in Anticompetitive Conduct.........................................................................................................................28 1. Below-Cost Pricing................................................................................................28 2. Raising Rivals’ Costs............................................................................................30 3. Predation Through Government Processes...................................................30 C. Traditional Justifications for Government Intervention in the Marketplace Do Not Support Municipal Wireless Networks....................................................31 D. Danger of Technological Obsolescence or Lock-In......................................33 PART V LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS RELATING TO MUNICIPAL WIRELESS INTERNET PROVISION................................................................................................35 A. Federal Bills.............................................................................................................35 B. State Bills.................................................................................................................38 PART VI SUGGESTED GUIDING PRINCIPLES..........................................................41

Telecenters Hardware Costing Sheets - Pakistan (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, 35Kb) by Salman Ansari Technology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd — last modified 2006-11-26 20:29

Practical Excel costing sheet for detailed development of a 'telecenter' - relevant for anywhere in the developing world

Telecenters and Community Resource & Information Centres in Pakistan : Vol 2 (PDF document, 6977Kb) by Salman Ansari Technology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. — last modified 2006-11-26 20:24

See description under Vol 1