Antigua-Barbuda goes live with Wi-Fi
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| Published on Monday, December 3, 2007 |
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ST JOHN'S, Antigua: The Caribbean nation of Antigua & Barbuda is now live with an island Wi-Fi network service provided by Antigua Computer Technology, using Tropos Networks’ MetroMesh Wi-Fi network solution. The wireless network, currently servicing more than 40 percent of the total population, is also being used to introduce computer-based curriculum and technology into the public schools through mobile computer classrooms and fixed internet centres that have access to the network.
The Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd (ACT), locally owned and based in Antigua and Barbuda, is the largest Wi-Fi internet service provider in the Eastern Caribbean. According to ACT’s Managing Director Salomon Doumith, “There is a lot more we at ACT have to offer to the public but it is the demand for mobilisation and instant access to the internet which has led us to the full scale deployment of a Wi-Fi network.”
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| New mobile computer classrooms give Antigua's public school students access to computer technology and the island Wi-Fi network provided by Tropos Networks and ACT. (Photo: Business Wire) |
For the public schools, three mobile centre classrooms are already up and running and 18 fixed internet centres are expected to be completed in 2007.
In 2008, plans are for a total of 7,798 students to have access to ACT’s Wi-Fi network. This includes 14 primary schools, with 2,796 students, and nine secondary schools, with 5,002 students.
Each of the mobile centres is equipped with one of Tropos’ Mobile MetroMesh routers for a wireless nternet connection, 17 mobile touch PC’s, a GPS for up-to-date location of the mobile centre, and a video phone for local communications and video conferencing.
“This is a perfect way to reach out to the public; the technology used here on our network could not have worked better. When ACT began this venture, it seemed impossible to most people at the time. That is, until we made the Wi-Fi mesh network available to the public,” said Shervin Bruno, Broadcast Engineer (ACT).
The wireless network is available to residents and local businesses on a monthly subscription basis starting at US$50/month.
According to Andrea Joseph, Network Administrative Assistant at ACT, “The redundancy of the mesh network and readily available backup battery power makes it ideal for providing reliable service to schools, government and corporate institutions where uninterrupted service is crucial.”
“Although we are still a ways from reaching the coverage area mapped out for the island, the responses that we have received thus far indicate that we are pioneering economic growth and satisfying the pent up demand and needs of our citizens,” said Eustace Phillip, Telecom Manager (ACT).
The network is the latest project of the “Connect Antigua & Barbuda Initiative” introduced by the government of Antigua and Barbuda and spearheaded by the minister of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Dr Edmond A. Mansoor. The program is designed to upgrade the intellectual capital of the Nation and build an open and pluralistic society – one in which all citizens and residents have access to information and knowledge.
“The selection of the Tropos MetroMesh system to enable fixed and mobile network access supporting the education and economic initiatives for Antigua and Barbuda is gratifying,” said Denise Barton, director of marketing for Tropos Networks. “We look forward to continuing to work with the local government and ACT as they expand the network and introduce additional applications which enrich the lives of citizens in Antigua & Barbuda.” | | | | Reads : 3 |
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