Telecentre-Based Community Wireless Networks: Empowering Rural Community in Uganda

1. Introduction

The concept of community wireless networks describes a wireless communication infrastructure that is shared and managed by a community. It is based on the possibility for groups or communities to build self owned and operated networks (Wireless Networking in the Developing World, 2006). This chapter focuses on community wireless networks set up at four telecentres in Uganda, namely, Kachwekano and Kabale telecentres in Kabale district, Nabweru telecentre in Wakiso District, and the Lira CPAR telecentre in Lira District. Establishment of the networks involved engagement of the telecentres and of the Community Wireless Resource Centre (CWRC).

The CWRC is a research and training centre established in 2006 within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The CWRC arose out of the need to reduce the high cost of connectivity in IDRC-supported telecentres in Uganda, and to explore optimal connectivity models such as sharing the existing bandwidth with neighboring institutions via outdoor wireless networks. It was anticipated that by managing collectively the costs of connectivity at each telecentre, more institutions could get access to Internet without heavy initial investments in satellite hardware and subscriptions. At the time, the predominant option for Internet access in rural communities was via expensive satellite-based connections. The aim of the CWRC was to make connectivity more affordable for telecentres by implementing community wireless networks.