Community wireless in The Netherlands

From What The Wiki?!

This conference presented two cases of wireless networks in the Netherlands and one project on mesh networks.


The first case was about the Leiden project [1], presented by Rudi van Drunen, and showed a project that in fact is a foundation with a more institutionalized character. He explained that besides the institutionalized aspect, every single user is in fact responsible for this network, as they are encouraged to build their own antennas.


As for the relations with the authorities, he explained that their strategy is to agree first with them so that they can avoid future problems. As being a foundation, this also means they have sponsors and they usually use standards to make things easier for them.


In the second case, the Amsterdam wireless network [2], presented by Jaap, we are in a presence of a totally different project. Here, the wireless network began in a former community called Ascii [3] based on a squat. So, the first antennas that were installed were in fact in squatted buildings. As for the antennas, in the beginning they encouraged people to construct them, but now they encourage them to use ready-made ones that can be easily purchased.


This network has no foundation, but is the result of a self-organized community that intends to be as free as possible from any internet provider, and also wants that this network may be more than just for browsing in the internet. So, this means that they sponsor some alternative media projects that connect onto their network and transmit there their programs, such as a radio station.


The third and final presentation was made by Rop Gonggrijp and it was all dedicated to the presentation of his project What-a-Mesh [4]. This project is basically a program in php that will run in a wireless modem. When a person connects, it shows as a simple form that will permit the access. The major goal of this project is to help the communities to build their own wireless networks.


Some links:

  • What-a-mesh - [5]
  • WirelessLeiden - [6]
  • Amsterdam Wireless - [7]
  • Olrs Routing - [8]
  • Linux op Linksys - [9]
  • Ascii Internet Workspace - [10]

Related pages:

Ana 30 July 2005 22:10 (CEST)

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