Wireless Leiden

community network

and 'living laboratory'

our own, free, fast, inexpensive

wireless computer network

for Leyden and surroundings

And also ...

Develop and share

knowledge

Stimulate and facilitate

commercial services and

spin-off companies

Started with 10, now 30 professional 'hobbyists'

Open standards / open software

Inexpensive hardware (802.11b)

Free WiFi frequencies

Coöperative, planned approach

Open to individuals, companies, organisations

No subsidies, solve real problems for real people

Primary focus on fixed-wireless, not on mobile use.

Wireless Leiden Foundation (2002)

Wireless Leiden:

innovative, outside WiFi-network

no hotspots, but a routed, independent network

Example

(small business)

Solution:

‘win - win’

Secure ‘vpn’ connection using Wireless Leiden

Internet connection

via gateways ('proxy')

For >1000 users a 'basic-adsl' – capacity

The City Network

Realtime on our website

Over 50 network nodes

City of Leiden fairly well covered

Connected to region: Jacobswoude, Hazerswoude, Katwijk, Alphen a/d Rijn, Oegstgeest, Leiderdorp

Regional network

Katwijk a/Z

Kaag

Jacobswoude

Benthuizen

Node IMI was sponsored by IMI, Instituut voor Maatschappelijke Innovatie, Leiden

Business Case:

a coöperative approach

Foundation: the infrastructure; not for profit

Develop and share knowledge: open technology

Social network: individuals, companies and organisations

Financing per node (ca. 1200 euro), immediately written off

No regural payments so no regural income required, free to use for anyone

Driven by users

Main applications: VPN's, mobile or fixed broadband Internet, file sharing

Status after 2 years

4000+ users (750 daily Internet users)

commercial spin offs (start up companies)

'living laboratory' for technological and social innovation

International interest

Montreal

San Francisco

Kinshasa, Buffalo City (?)

Iraq (?)

Paramaribo

Philippines (?)

Ankara

Challenges

Manage a large organisation of volunteers

Manage relationship volunteers – start ups

Regional expansion

Need for some working capital

Organise network maintenance

Safety of volunteer workers

Manage user expectations

Innovate and operate the network

2004-11-24T21:01:53