SPECIMEN

make it possible to develop something entirely new in ICT namely: -

"Amateur and Community LANs". These are not-for-profit local

community owned and managed IAP/ISP self-help groups offering via a

local community, club or co-operative, eventual profit-free broadband

internet access, local non-commercial (internet) radio and television and

free local (internet) personal and business telephone and video.

Profit-free broadband internet access can now give access to high quality

broadband and video communications to all sections of the community

such as the young, poor and disadvantaged: which would otherwise for many

years  to come be the exclusive gift of wealthy upmarket consumers and

businesses alone.

This provision of free, quality, high speed broadband access to a

network can encourage participation in modern neighbourhood

community development. Offering through the equivalent of free local

telephone calls and the lowest possible cost internet access.

By being provided at real cost, community internet can reduce the

pernicious financial drain on business and social life developing from

increasingly acquisitive and monopolistic parasitic transnational

telecoms utilities.

The initiative is being taken up locally by a small number of Computer

Enthusiasts and Radio Amateurs who meeting at a pub in the former

Somerset County Town of Bath have set up an local wireless network

group called The Mendip Amateur Radio WLAN Group which intends

setting up the first Amateur & Community WLAN access point servicing

the Midsomer Norton / Radstock area.

Further details: http://www.norton.demon.co.uk

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The Mendip Amateur Radio WLAN Group Phone: (+44) 0 1225 789144

Email: henry-otani@beeb.net ISDN Video: (+44) 0 1225 789143