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South African wireless community networks are wireless networks that allow members to talk, send messages, share files and play games independent of the commercial landline and mobile telephone networks. Most of them use WiFi technology and many are wireless mesh networks. A wireless community network may connect to the public switched telephone network and/or the Internet, but there are various restrictions on connectivity in South Africa. Wireless community networks are particularly useful in areas where commercial telecommunications services are unavailable or unaffordable. Development of Wireless User Group (WUG) infrastructure and applications in the cities helps train members in wireless technology skills and provides a proving ground for new technology and applications that may have large social benefits in informal communities and rural areas of South Africa and neighboring countries. ==Background: South African Telecommunications Environment== South Africa has the best developed and most modern telephone system in Africa. There are almost 110 combined fixed-line and cellular telephones per 100 persons. There are 5.1 million Internet users.〔("CIA World Factbook: South Africa" ) CIA. Retrieved 6 December 2008〕 The network is 99.9% digital. The fixed-line monopoly of Telkom SA, a listed company in which the government is the largest shareholder, expired with the licensing of Neotel as South Africa's second national operator, starting operations in November 2007. Neotel is licensed to provide the entire range of telecoms services with the exception of full mobility. Neotel is expanding their network fast, but so far is concentrating on urban areas.〔("Neotel: R5bn loan to boost network rollout" ) ADSL South Africa 26 October 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕 The South African mobile communications market is growing fast. The country's three cellular network operators (Vodacom, MTN and Cell C) have over 39-million subscribers, or nearly 80% of the population.〔("South Africa's telecommunications" ) South Africa.info. Retrieved 6 December 2008〕 However, although there are now over one million broadband subscribers, mostly using ADSL or HSDPA,〔("South Africa: Broadband subscriber base passes one million mark" ) International Telecommunications Union 25 March 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕 bandwidth remains relatively limited and expensive.〔("Where does South Africa really stand regarding broadband prices?" ) MyBroadband 18 June 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕 Major cities such as Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria have launched public-private initiatives to build their own broadband networks to provide cheaper voice and data services. For example, the city of Tshwane, which includes Pretoria, is testing delivery of broadband Internet and voice services on their new metro-wide fibre-optic network using wireless hot spots to provide ADSL access.〔("Tshwane gets Internet hubba hubba" ) Mail & Guardian 2 Dec 2005. Retrieved 6 December 2008〕 In the meantime, the high cost of broadband access has stimulated development of Wireless User Groups. The WUGS are not allowed to sell internet connectivity, since they are non-commercial community networks. Although non-profit and operating in the license-exempt spectrums, their legal status is not clear. In October 2007, JAWUG requested clarification on whether it required a radio frequency spectrum and/or ECNS license for its activities.〔("JAWUG asks for license exemption" ) My Broadband 3 October 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2008〕 Telkom provides relatively poor voice and internet service in underdeveloped rural areas of South Africa, although it is investigating ways to improve service using wireless technology.〔("Telkom Centre of Excellence at TUT to Research Communication for Rural Communities" ) Telkom 22 June 2006. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕 The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has licensed several small telecoms firms to operate regional networks in remote, under-served areas of the country.〔("Ministry approves four applications for rural network licences" ) Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) ACP-EU 4 June 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕 Bokone Telecoms in Polokwane and Amathole Telecoms in the Eastern Cape are experimenting with WiMAX technology to provide service.〔("Connecting people in rural South Africa" ) EE Publishers (Pty) Ltd〕 However, due to relatively high costs and low revenue potential, these initiatives are moving slowly. There is room for more innovative approaches. Currently, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service is allowed only in areas where less than five percent of the population have access to a telephone, and WiFi is restricted to use by individuals or organisations within the confines of their own premises. The argument is that low-cost or free VoIP over WiFi would destroy the incentive for commercial network providers to upgrade rural networks. However, several commentators consider that this policy is counter-productive.〔("Restricting VoIP and WiFi costs South Africa its position as a technology leader in Africa" ) Bridges.org. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕〔("Wi-Fi - stifled by regulatory intransigence?" ) EE Publishers (Pty) Ltd. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕〔("South Africa losing role as Africa's technology leader" ) Afrol News 27 May 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008〕 As discussed later, many wireless community networks deliberately ignore the restrictions. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「South African wireless community networks」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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