From KAREN wiki

Starting a page to discuss the possibilities of extending Karen with community wireless mesh.

The idea

With more than 60% of NZers without connection to broadband Internet KAREN, might consider helping NZers to become connected and so provide the impetuous and opportunities for people to network, communicate, participate and learn online. We envisage this as being done through free wireless mesh networks and more accessible wireless computing. Portable computing in the form of things like the Asus eee have disrupted the entry costs for computing and increasing numbers of people will be considering wireless enabled, inexpensive and portable computers. If access to free (or very cheap) Internet was made available to many NZers, more will connect and gain valuable literacies that lead to increased economic exchange and cultural development. Complimenting the free wireless role out would be the Community Learning Centres (CLCs) of the Polytechnics and other community access initiatives. These usually involve small satellite campuses - usually computer labs in shop fronts within regional centres. The CLCs already offer various basic computer and Internet learning support for the wider community, and could start facilitating the connections to the wireless mesh networks.

This lobby is for:

1. KAREN connected Optics to as far as we can take it
2. Wireless transceivers from there
3. Wireless mesh network to carry the signal into regional communities
4. To achieve at least 80% of NZ connected to broadband Internet

Comment: We fully support the vision of ubiquitous connectivity. Wireless will have to be a part of that. Investment in KAREN has already brought competitive fibre supply and broadband services to new towns in the North and South Island. You may be interested in the National Education Network proof of concept starting soon. We see our impact on the standard internet users as being as an accelerator of infrastructure deployment and open standards, rather than as a service provider. --donaldsclark 16:43, 8 July 2008 (NZST)

Show your interest

It has been brought to my attention that to create an account on this wiki that people still need to email a request for a user name and login! And that once that has been generated, they still don't have editing rights. If this is preventing you from participating, please email me and I wil add your name and comments for you while we wait for KAREN to change their process. leighblackallATgmailDOTcom

• Leighblackall 10:23, 28 April 2008 (NZST)
• BrentSimpson 11:44, 2 May 2008 (NZST)
• Wayne Mackintosh8:42 3 May 2008 - "As a New Zealand national and international advocate of the power of open communities, I was embarrassed that I could not create an account on the KAREN wiki."

References

• Bookmarks about free community wireless internet
• DIY Mesh guide
• VOIPing the Outback