copyright 2004 stg wireless leiden huub schuurmans stichting wireless leiden [email protected]...

Copyright 2004 Stg Wireless Leiden

Huub SchuurmansStichting Wireless [email protected]

Jasper KoolhaasRudi van DrunenGer Koper

Wireless Leiden community network

and'living laboratory'


Trends

• Fixed ==> wireless

• WiFi

• Open Source Software

• Smaller, cheaper, faster

• Interoperability (open standards)


802.11b/WiFi

WiFi in perspective

Source: Public Wireless LAN Access: A Threat toMobile Operators, Analysys Research, 2001

50

500

1000

10 000

50 000

100 000T

rans

mis

sion

ra

te (

kbit/

s)

HomeRFBluetooth

Fixed LAN

Blackberry (US)

HomeRFBluetooth

802.11a and HiperLAN2

UMTSGPRS

GSM

Stationary Walkingspeed

Drivingspeed

802.11g

Glas


● Fast (11 – 54 Mbps)● Free, no license● Inexpensive● Available, now & everywhere● Easy to use, set up, do-it-yourself● Open standard (widely used, interoperable)● Users like it, it's fun● New applications, CE devices, VoIP

WiFi's success formula


Free Software (1984)

• Free to use

• Free to copy, to distribute

• Free to change


Linux (1991)operating system

Open Source (1998)'marketing'

widely accepted

Linus Torvalds

Eric Raymond


Why Open Source ?

● No 'vendor lock in'● Costs● Interoperability ● Flexibility ● Security● Quality


Why Open Standards ?

● Interoperability● Neutral infrastructure, level playing field● Free to implement● Access to documentation


more about

Open Standards and

Open Source Software:

http://www.ososs.nl


Wireless Leiden

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

● Why? Curiosity, new, fun

● Who? Anybody interested

● 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 connectionvia 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/ZKaag

Jacobswoude

Benthuizen


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


Node Gandalf Benthuizen


Node Meca Katwijk a/Zee


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


What's in it for you?

• Open Standards• Open Source Software• New business cases based on open

technology• Cooperate with unconventional partners in

unconventional business models• Opportunity for strengthening community

relations and employee motivation

copyright 2004 stg wireless leiden huub schuurmans stichting wireless leiden [email protected]...

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