Training, Education, Wi-Fi, Mobile, Paraguay, CLA: Progress towards making mobile Wi-Fi a widespread reality in Paraguay advanced via a training and implementation workshop held recently.

The Paraguay Silvestre mobile Wi-Fi system introduces an Internet access solution that is not in real time and comprises a central Internet access point - in this case via a satellite hub - with wireless access and four remote points (kiosks). Programmes are installed to send and receive e-mail, consult the web and administer voice mail (Internet telephony). All this is also done through wireless access.

A mobile wireless access point termed MAP (Mobile Access Point) acts as a link between the hub and the kiosks. MAP brings and takes information from the access points or kiosks to the server, which is located in a vehicle that will be responsible for circulating through all these locations daily. The project is not in real time because the kiosks send and receive the requested information every time MAP passes by a particular location, and this can be many times daily.

Regarding user access, each person acquires a card with their e-mail account, phone number and access code. This card has a credit that gets deducted as the services get used. Users will have to top off their available balance using prepaid cards. For the time being, users are not charged for the service and costs are covered by the UNDP for a year.

Customers write their e-mails, run their web-searches or leave voice mail messages at the kiosks for the users of other kiosks or for other phone numbers. All this is stored in e-mail format at the kiosk. MAP circulates through remote locations and establishes communication with the kiosks at each location via wireless access. This is how it takes the messages and, when it returns to the hub, delivers them and takes the messages at the kiosks, to deliver them the next time around. The hub processes the data received from MAP and sends it via Internet to the First Mile Solutions (FMS) server. First Mile Solutions is the company that implements the system and is located in Boston, from where the data is sent to its final destination. At the same time, the hub receives everything that is sent via Internet to any of the kiosks.

Implementation of the project is being carried out in the Alto Vera district, whose administrative headquarters is located in the town of Caronay, some 400 km from Asuncion, a city that has Internet access via satellite. This is where the headquarters of the central point is located, and where most workshop activities are taking place. The remaining access points are being installed in the communities of Paradema, Mbatovi, Taguato and Taruma.

more info: www.wilac.net