A innovative combination of connectivity technologies has won CSIR Information and Communications Technology (icomtek) a first place in the Equal Access category of the Stockholm Challenge in Sweden.

Pictured with the split hemisphere sculpture that symbolises
technological progress in harmony with the environment are
project team members SJ Jacobs, Ronel Smith, and
Johan Hugo. Holding the trophy is John Hay.

The Stockholm Challenge plays off pioneering IT projects worldwide, focusing on the benefits of information technologies for people and societies. The Connectivity Group in Mikomtek submitted the Manguzi Wireless Internet project, which provides Internet access to schools in the remote KwaZulu-Natal region that have no telecommunications infrastructure.

The project entailed establishing a Telecentre with dial-up Internet access on one of the few telephone lines in the area. Two schools some distance away ? and without a telephone line ? use a computer with a radio and a satellite receiver. Requests to the Internet go via the radio link to the Telecentre, where a fileserver dials the Internet service provider and the information is downloaded using satellite broadcast technology.

The project uses a powerful combination of existing technologies to provide Internet access. The solution was meticulously planned and thoroughly tested to withstand the rigours of rural life.

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