[Wireless-general] gypsy / travellers' distance learning wireless access project

[andrew garton]

Hello Adam,

Not sure if you've had any off-list feedback yet, but just in case,
I'd like to offer a few words.

7/02/2005 | 6:04 AM | wireless-general at lists.apc.org:

> Call for comments / APC / GN collaboration:

> The following is a slightly edited version of very initial discussions /
> planning we've been having on a likely very useful project.

> Who are we? 

> The core group are the authors behind the "UK Legal Aspects of Open
> Public Networks" document presented at Imperial College (ntk notcon
> 2) last year (shortly to be published on-line at
> www.networkcommons.org).

Is there a hard-copy version of this document? Is it possible that
such a document could feed into APCs ICT Policy work, perhaps through
GreenNet's Internet Rights project?

http://www.internetrights.org.uk/

Or even the broader policy watch that other APC members have
articulated such as ours for Australasia:

http://rights.apc.org.au/

What are your plans for Network Commons?

> An initial feasibility study to assess the possibility of providing
> wireless internet access on Gypsy sites is being planned. The
> intention is to find out whether such free access would be used
> and/or useful to assist children access educational resources and
> adults to gain information. The internet is an increasingly used
> resource in many households and Gypsies by way of their nomadic
> lifestyle are frequently excluded from this medium.

> Post feasibility, we would envisage starting a pilot study in the
> order of about 12 sites, this number being a cross section of all
> major types of Gypsy sites, eg. New; Traditional; Irish; public and
> private. At this time remote rural sites cannot be included as
> broadband internet services are frequently not available in such
> areas.

This is an excellent project and clearly much needed. What would a
collaboration with APC look like? Do you have any ideas at this stage?
If so, I would be happy to forward this and any further ideas to APC
Council.

-ag.