[Cu-wireless] Re: community wireless in NC

[Sascha Meinrath]

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003, Danielle Chynoweth wrote:

> http://main.nc.us/about/joinwireless.shtml/
>
> This started as a prairienet kind of venture and now provides wireless.
> They are community focuses, non profit.  They charge $45/mo.  I want to
> know more about what a "Rural Internet Access Authority" is - it sounds
> like a taxing body for internet ... hmmm can anyone say municipal utility?

this is interesting.  and we could definitely utilize some of their
information for our own website info docs, like their wireless user
agreement:

http://main.nc.us/about/forms/wireless/wirelessuseragreement.html

as for the Rural Internet Access Authority, their webpage is:

http://www.ncruralcenter.org/internet/

here's their goals:

The authority's main goals are ambitious: to provide local dial-up
Internet access from every telephone exchange in North Carolina within one
year; and to provide high-speed Internet access at competitive prices (at
least 128K for residential customers and at least 256K for business
customers) to all North Carolinians within three years.

Other goals of the Rural Internet Access Authority include:

Increasing the ownership of computers, related Web devices, and Internet
subscriptions throughout the state.
Providing two model Telework Centers to be established by January 2002
(Only one-fourth of the state's telephone central offices are located in
the most economically distressed areas.)
Providing accurate and current information via the Internet to state
residents concerning the availability of telecommunications and Internet
services. Also providing updates on future telecommunications and Internet
services.
Developing Internet applications for government agencies that will make
receiving services easier and more convenient. These applications can also
facilitate the delivery of more comprehensive government programs,
including training, education, and health care.
Employing open-technology approaches that encourage all potential
providers to participate in the implementation of high-speed Internet
access.
Coordinating activities, conducting and sponsoring research, and
recommending and advocating actions, including regulatory and legislative
actions, to achieve the authority's goals and objectives.