Assistance for Achieving Connectivity (including wireless)
PSR, located in Washington (tel), is an example of a connectivity provider leveraging schools and community groups on the same network...
Links
While a big challenge back in the 1990's, school Internet access is now becoming the rule rather than the exception. Here are some resources for getting computers and Internet access for your school (or community).
The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly known as "E-Rate" -- administered under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-- provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. It is one of four support programs funded through the Universal Service fee found on your telephone bill.
O'Reilly, acclaimed publisher for its Web how-to manuals, has turned to the vital topic of "Building Wireless Community Networks". It includes costs and set-up. A viable option for low cost community wide Internet access being implemented in cities great (San Francisco) and small (Pescadero, California).
Computers For Learning is a government re-cycling center for equipment, originally inspired by Vice-President Al Gore. The USA's largest shipping entities will cover the cost of sending equipment.
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In different states and municipalities regulations may determine whether a public school system and other agencies, particularly for-profit groups, can share the same network. Please note: Many accounts may be provided by the same operator; in this case, a network is shared. School personnel may be approached by providers, offering discounts for networking-sharing. It is crucial to know who your other partners are. You do not want to be sharing an Internet connection with an entity that uses 98% of the connection bandwidth.
Another policy issue revolves about the use of advertising. Lots of bargains in the telecommunications biz come attached with an advertising tag. As far as content is concerned, most are harmless. Advertising represents a departure from tradition. To do or not to do??
