[Fsf-friends] Wireless talks development.....

[Frederick Noronha (FN)]

          Campaigners in Venezuela have launched a wireless-for-development
          portal, and the English-language details are below.
          See http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=582985
          and also http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=526407
          for EsLaRed's eighth Latin American workshop on networking
          technology... which looks like a rather interesting gathering
          of people and topics, when viewed from half way around the
          globe ;-) FN

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Wireless talks development, that too in Spanish: www.wilac.net 

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- The Latin American School of Networks Foundation
(ESLARED) and the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) has
launched a portal. WiLAC is the new information portal about Wireless
Technologies for Development, designed to support individuals,
organisations, municipalities and businesses currently implementing
community wireless connectivity projects, or those about to launch on
this road.

The launch took place during the 'Experiences from Wireless Project
Implementation" event, on July 27, 2005, in Merida (Venezuela), during
the WALC 2005, an event about networking and content.

WiLAC's portal was launched during a "Panel of experiences in
implementation of wireless technologies", that was showcased during
workshops underway at the event. This panel began at 7 p.m. in the
Faculty of Engineering Auditorium of Los Andes University (ULA).

In a crowded auditorium, Edmundo Vitale moderated the panel. It was
kicked off with initial interventions from Jorge Phillips and Ermanno
Pietrosemoli. Both emphasized the importance of having a reference point
in the region, to address information needs about wireless technologies,
specially in Spanish, the third most-widely spoken language in the
world.

Jaime Torres and Américo Sanchez, experts of the Area of Engineering at
CEPES (Peru), presented their experience with the Agrarian Information
System of Huaral Valley. They not only shared what they encountered in
the implementation of the wireless network, but also about the community
development, costs estimates and the impact in the community.

CVG Telecom (Venezuela) president Julio Durán presented the National
Network of Social Connectivity plan, which includes the deployment of
technologies that go from fibre across the country to experimentation
with WiMAX technologies. But the starting point will be communities that
are otherwise much more isolated.

[WiMAX is an acronym that stands for Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access. The WiMAX protocol is a way of networking computing
devices together; for example to provide internet access, in a similar
way to Wi-Fi. WiMAX is both faster and has a longer range than Wi-Fi.
However, WiMAX does not necessarily conflict with Wi-Fi, but is designed
to interoperate with it and may indeed complement it.]

Sylvia Cadena presented the model used by the Institute for the
Connectivity in Américas (ICA), to support the implementation of
projects pilot about fixed and itinerant Wi-Fi technologies through all
the region.

Finally, the WiLAC portal structure was briefly explored to check its
performance as well as the possibilities it could offer.

Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, the WiLAC portal will
promote information about design, implementation, development,
replication, and the use of necessary components for a successful
community wireless project that serves the community.

More specifically, the information, available in Spanish, has been
structured to offer the user relevant information regarding: research
(case studies, impact analysis); implementation (articles and reports
about current projects); technical reviews and news about technical
standards development; regulatory frameworks (links and descriptions of
the conditions in each country to develop community wireless networks);
training resources (materials, courses and workshops); regional
expertise; support funds available; news about wireless projects in
other parts of the world; and related events.

WiLAC promotes direct cooperation and exchange among community
initiatives using wireless technologies under development in the region
(and also in other regions). It also promotes the building up of
relationships and support from those initiatives with more experience to
those just starting up. 

This portal was fully developed using free and open source software
(FOSS).

ESLARED is a non-profit institution dedicated to promoting information
technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean, working since 1992, and
legally constituted in Venezuela. It has worked to promote the building
of human resources and research in telecommunications, computer networks
and information technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its
focus also includes research and development on technology transfer and
appropriate technology, to foster scientific, technical and social
progress in the region. It is a member of the Association for
Progressive Communications (APC).

The Institute for Connectivity in the Americas emerged from the 2001
Summit of the Americas. It is the forum for hemispheric innovation in
the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for
economic and social development. ICA's goal is to promote the use of
ICTs in Latin American and the Caribbean countries, to strengthen
democracy, create prosperity, and realise human potential in the region.
ICA is currently being incubated at the International Development
Research Centre's (IDRC) headquarters at Ottawa, Canada and at the
Regional Office in Montevideo, Uruguay.

For more details about WiLAC.net contact Sylvia Cadena, Coordinator at
info@wilac.net (+5982) 7111502, J.M.Sosa 2281/ 701 Montevideo 11300
Uruguay.

WiLAC
http://www.wilac.net/
ESLARED, the Latin American School of Networks Foundation
http://www.eslared.org.ve/
Institute for Connectivity in the Americas
http://www.icamericas.net/
WiLAC news on your desktop, via RSS
http://www.wilac.net/backend.php