Building a Wireless Network in Sengerema, Tanzania

In the first phase, the wireless network connects six community organisations to the internet. In phase 2 and 3, it aims to connect all wards in Sengerema District. The community network will be officially launched on the 26 October at Sengerema Telecentre Mwanza Tanzania.

The first phase of the wireless network is built during a workshop from 20th – 25th October, 2008 at Sengerema Telecentre  Mwanza Tanzania. The Workshop is being organized by TTN with support from IICD (International Institute for Communication and Development).  The Tanzania Telecentre Network was established in 2007 by several telecentre managers for the purpose of creating a platform that facilitates knowledge sharing and capacity building on relevant content, technical skills and sustainability of telecentres. An important variable in a sustainable business model for telecentres are the costs for internet connectivity. For this purpose TTN had decided to pilot with a business model in which the costs for internet connectivity are shared with several stakeholders in the community by a wireless network.

The themes on the workshop programme will revolve around the design and implementation of Wireless Networks including; Knowledge of wireless networks development and applications, Identification of the appropriate system, Practical exercises by implementing the phase I of the Sengerema wireless Mesh Project, Interact with stakeholders to identify and learn on needs and readiness of communities and Knowledge sharing with government, Institutions and ICT service providers leaders in facilitating ICT4D.

Themes will be expertly moderated in participatory manner throughout the workshop. For that purpose, it will bring together Telecentre IT Managers, local and international network experts, government officials responsible for ICT development; ICT service providers, Telecentre.org representatives/partners coordinated by experts from IICD.

Expected outcomes will include increased knowledge of participants on wireless connectivity and sustainable business models for rural telecentres, and management skills to implement effective and efficient networks at their places.  This should result in participants identifying suitable tools, strategies and appropriate techniques thus enable rural communities in Tanzania to easily access important information for improving standards of living towards meeting the MDGs.

Members of the public are invited to the Network Launch on the 26th October, 2008. It is an opportunity to see how the wireless network connects several community organizations, meet with various ICT development practitioners to share experience, and develop plans on how best we can harness the benefits of ICTs to enhance socio-economic development of our communities.

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