AirJaldi Summit – Dharamsala, India
Above is a link to a meeting on license-free WiFi networks, centered on what has been built at Dharmasala, the venerable Dalai Lama’s headquarters (he was denied the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka for the 2550 Buddha Jayanti, despite all the Buddhist rhetoric of our current government: http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=1,2155,0,0,1,0.)
But that is another story.
What they can do in Dharmasala, we cannot do in Sri Lanka. Underlines the need for revision on the obsolete 1991 Act.
147 Comments
Goswami
Here’s an article on the Mahavilachchiya Mesh Networking Pilot Project funded by Pan Asia from Daily Mirror (May 9, 2006) that talks about the problems with having to pay for frequencies [that in many other countries are unlicensed] and how it is preventing connectivity solutions in rural areas.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/05/09/ft/12.asp (Subscription required)
“Despite the fact that his project would cater to the requirements of a very rural community, it is now facing restrictive frequency licensing fees imposed by the Government telecommunication regulations. The jungle terrain of Mahavilachchiya has prevented optimum coverage and necessitated an increase in the number of nodes to be used (preliminary testing was carried out using two nodes); consequently, the frequency charges have gone beyond the budget availability of the project. Currently discussions are underway to reduce the license fees drastically so that the funding for this project will be sufficient to provide connectivity to all 30 homes.”
Naleendra
Aren’t we all hypocrites in this country?
We talk so much about Ahimsa, Metta, Karuna and Muditha and wage war at the drop of the hat.
We talk so much about Buddhist heritage and prevent Dalai Lama visiting our country.
We talk so much about taking ICTs to villages and put all the barriers to it, in the form of licensing of WiFi, which makes an Internet connection for a rural user more than hundred times costlier than what it is for an urban user.
We talk so much about building a brave new generation of IT and let a 70 year old ailing dinosaur to lead that program.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
The list is endless.
samarajiva
In honor of the Dalai Lama, LIRNEasia will offer to contribute its knowledge to the Dharamsala Summit. When he has the time, our resident WiFi expert will make the necessary inquiries. If the Dalai Lama is not allowed to come to Sri Lanka, at least some people from Sri Lanka should go to him.
revantha
Hi This is Revantha I am quite new to this forum but have been associating with the Horizon Lanka foundation for quite some time, and have been following up on the so called mesh networking project (launched by ICTA and ETPL- Enterprise Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, after much fanfare, which is quite usual I guess) during my tenure at UNDP from last year onwards.
I’ve recently visited Mahavilachchiya over the last weekend (vesak holidays) My primary objective was to see how far the so called mythical mesh networking project has progressed and the benefits to the community at large. Cos I’ve seen on most occasions how ICTA was going on and on the project while ETPL was dragging their feet on the implementation…
as oppose to what’s said written on the article on daily mirror (http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/05/09/ft/12.asp) where the author(s) boast about test sites, high speed internet connectivity and all the other nice to have stuff none exist at the real site.. NON EXIST MY FRIENDS !!!!!
I found out that none of the test sites are functioning , the antenna mounted on for the distribution purpose is a mere 6-9dbi low gain omini directional antenna which is mounted on the existing LankaCom tower. The antenna does not have sufficient gain to provide even a 36Kbps connectivity to the test sites which are located around 100-125m (LOS- line of sight basis) away from the central site.
I also fail to understand how an Low Gain Omini Directional Antenna mounted on a central site and a Directional Antenna mounted on subscriber could work in tandem….
The main wireless access point/bridge used is from Strix Systems (www.strixsystems.com) is more geared towards providing wifi access in indoors and not in an outdoor situation. Hence the project is a failure BIG TIME….
in a Nutshell I like to point out that: the so called ICT gurus in Colombo tend to get loss with newer and emerging communication technologies; Mesh networking is fine in the Metropolis but may not be ideally suited in the same format for the rural areas of Sri Lanka, primarily due to the capital cost and the complexity of the technologies involved. I am not completely negating the effects of Wireless Mesh Networking but the implementer has to choose the technology case by case, in the case of Horizon lanka a simple point to multipoint links with couple of redundant backbone wireless access point would have achieved the project deliverables in no time.
But sadly the project implementer has chosen to do justice to a preferred equipment vendor by overlooking the benefits to the Mahavilachchiya community at large WHICH IS VERY PATHETIC…….
Almost all the houses in Mahavilachchiya has Electricity the only lacking factor is Communication should the project taken off the ground we would have seen how strongly VOIP enabled technology could be implemented with a local touch to the benefits of this community, but like I said sadly this process is not happening.
True enough TRC would have it’s objections but has the gurus in ICTA, ETPL and TRC looked at the big picture is the big Question . Friends much could be achieved if we use the right technology at the correct place but sadly in the local context that’s not happening ICTA is lost in their own world while TRC is battling a survival game and has lost touch with the real world — the End Results is We as a Country Sadly Does Not progress with the Tech Advancements in improving the quality of the People at Large…..
Guess this is all for now will pop in again adios amigos …… will post some pictures on my tour very soon…
MKW
Hi, this is Krishan just went through the article which was done by a Sri Lankan called Revantha who I personally think does not have a clue about ICT developments in the country. I feel like he has other personal interest in Mahavilachchiya but not IT development.
This so called former UNDP guru has visited this village trying to impress the vilagers in what he thinks and knows about mesh networking. Hey, just to tell you first check the TRC regulations and then talk about what you want to tell. He says he has a more powerful antenna at his home, then it’s high time the cops visit his house since he is doing something illegal!
So truly I feel this guy should keep his mouth shut and let the ICTA do there job. ICTA has been very active in getting all necessary approvals and licenses with ETPL from TRC and when they actually complete the job anybody could visit the site and make comments rather than trying to comment on a test implementation.
I personally thought of writing this simply to tell others too that pls. don’t write for the sake of writing but try best to make this discussion site more meaningful. Anyone can write rubbish, it is only valuable if what you are saying is the truth.
revantha
Hi Krishan,
First I am not a guru and Please dont label me as an UNDP guru…and please dont get UNDP into this context, fine if you say so I do not have a clue about the ICT developments in the country thats ok tooo. I’ve been in the field long enough to know what is wireless what is wired and what is mesh networking and what is ICT development(s)
Your grammar and the articulate language speaks for your professionalism sir.. for which I pity yourself. If the admin of this forum wants to shut the door for me thats fine too. I guess kishan you actually dont have a clue about the mesh Networking project and the history of it for which I dont think it would be of any use to argue with you since you arguments are biased by nature…
Fine let the cops raid my home no issue on that as per the TRC regulations indoor wifi on ISM band 2.4GHZ is fine. I do not know whether that argument has change by now but any way if that’s the case i am prepared to pay the fine no issue on that.
What I wanted to elaborate was to use the correct technology at the correct place without trying to do justice to preferred vendors. I’ve been in the field long enough to see successful wifi implementation carried out by an innovative group of handful local ISP’s using variety of low cost solutions. As well I have seen and heard how successful long distance wireless communication projects have been implemented in other developed/developing countries and the benefits they have brought apart to the communities at large.
well if I am uttering rubbish thats for the readers of this forum to judge not for a single person to judge that fact. Also Rukshan I know the prevailing TRC regulations on the ISM band and I know the difficulties TRC is facing in making the band free of charge for the public usage. The question I put forward was to forgo all these barriers and look at the community at large the benefits it could reap for the kids in an around Mahavilachchiya if this project get going.
As a Final note I do not have any interest in Mahavilachchiya, except for that fact that I do have a personal interest on the natural beauty surrounding Mahavilachchiya and the uncomplicated life style of the villagers… Over to you.. also Kishan if the test sites are not working can we look forward to a real implementation over… to your fellow reader to Judge…
Adios….
revantha
Also Kishan I am Proud to Call my self a “SRI LANKAN” !! are you from another nationality ? was just curious since you did start your blog by saying
“Hi, this is Krishan just went through the article which was done by a Sri Lankan called Revantha”
RW
This is a response to the email posted by Revantha Udugampola shown below. It is distressing to see that someone with little knowledge on the facts of this rural project can make accusations. A true professional will not make statements without checking if his assumptions are in fact true.
I have worked on this project from its inception so I know the facts and I have been fighting very hard to get this project off the ground. What I want to bring to you is the truth about this project and not just a mere outsider’s viewpoint based on false assumptions.
The mesh networking project in Mahavilachchiya project is a pilot project to test a new innovative networking solution that has been successful internationally, especially in Indonesia, Bangladesh, USA, Canada and the UK. ETPL chose Strix Systems because it has proven to be reliable and robust and requires minimum operational maintenance and support. Since Horizon Lanka is in a remote town with dense jungle, this system was chosen not because of it’s low cost, but because it was the best equipment in the market that fit the necessary specifications.
This project is not dragging; on the contrary it is due for completion in the end of July as originally scheduled. The only unexpected bottleneck faced was in acquiring the TRC licenses for the equipment. TRC does not allow the use of high gain antenna’s above 8dBi for 2.4GHz and 15dBi for 5.3GHz. Thereby it is against the law for anyone to use antennas of a higher gain than this. We have been in discussion with TRC on the high license fee (which Horizon Lanka will have to pay yearly) and they have informed us that this fee will be reduced to a more affordable amount soon after passing Government approval. Horizon Lanka has already received TRC approval and is now awaiting security clearance for the necessary frequencies so this project is not “mythical”.
Contrary to what Revantha says, when I called Wanni (who is the founder of Horizon Lanka), he informed me that the test sites are working but currently one computer was shifted to another location therefore they are not using one of the sites.
In reference to the statement on omni-directional and directional antenna working in tandem, it is similar to a point to multipoint system, nothing special.
As an IT professional that has worked in the US and come back to Sri Lanka to help the country develop by working on rural projects, I am deeply saddened by comments made such as below. New technology is emerging everyday and if Sri Lanka wants to develop as fast as other Asian countries have, why should we push aside a technology that has proven itself? There are several cheap solutions for wireless networking but very few are resilient and have successful implementations under jungle terrain conditions. To every
In conclusion, there are no major hurdles left to complete this project and it will be completed as scheduled. The Mahavilachchiya project is a pilot project and it is bad taste to condemn it before it is implemented.
revantha
Hi RW,
My knowledge on wireless and RF techniques might be limited an I may not be an IT or an engineering professional such as you… nevertheless none of the test sites were working while I was there from last Friday to Saturday, the facts would speak to them self for which I do not want start another barrage of argumnets (even if you visit Mahavilachchiya today you could see it for your self, I’ve been told the reception is poor and some time there is connectivity for couple minitues only).
In any case the single Strix systems unit used was more of an indoor class unit,thats as per the data sheet of the unit says…(correct me if i am wrong) By the way I did call wanni in the morning (today) and he did said that none of the remote sites are working, by the way wanni is in badulla my friend and right now not in Mahavilachchiya….
To make a long story short since you gave an assurance that the project would be concluded by the stipluated dates lets wait till such time since facts would speak for them selfs. My only hope is that be it mesh or point to point, Strix systems or Metrix or Mikrotik the project would be able to deliver the goods as per the stipluated budget (LKR 2.8Million I belive) and the Kids in Mahavilachchiya would be able to enjoy at least some level of seamless connectivity to the Internet and broaden theire knowledge….
thx..
magechinthana
Does anyone know anything about unlicensing the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands in Sri Lanka?
Sometimes back, I heard it was done and now they charge only a nominal fee of Rs.100 per Access point. Am I correct? If so what is this big problem about implementing a wireless network?
revantha
magechinthana,
you are correct mate last i heard from TRC is that 2.4Ghz ISM band was to be deregularized at a nominal cost of 100bucks per AP as per the TRC act it canot be made zero value.. but I am yet to find out any infor as to wether the necessary changes to the acts has been done…. but if that process has already I fail to understand the rationale behind some of the arguments raised above by the author RW…
5.1Ghz ISM band yet to be touched by the regulator but i’ve seen some sort of proposal callout by TRC for 5Ghz band usage related stuff on last weeks DailyNews
Folks you would be interested in looking at the following URL as to how innovative people have been in useing wirless mesh networking cocepts in this part of the world; please refer :
http://summit.airjaldi.com/home/dharamsala-wireless-mesh-network/
sadly most of the IT shops in Sri lanka tends to lock horns on propriory vendor solutions (this I guess is common not only in IT but i guess in most of the other aspects as well in our society) without going that extra mile to be CREATIVE….
Sat on a wall
Dear RW,
You give a long reply to the issues Revantha raised, but carefully avoid answering some of the very important technical questions he asks. Let me ask them again.
1. You say: [quote] This project is not dragging; on the contrary it is due for completion in the end of July as originally scheduled. The only unexpected bottleneck faced was in acquiring the TRC licenses for the equipment.[unquote]
Why do you say this bottleneck was unexpected? Of course, if you have visited the SLTRC web site you should have known that the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands are not free/deregulated in Sri Lanka. (though they may be free in Dharamsala) Didn’t you know this, when you started the project?
Further, we still don’t know whether these bands will be deregulated or not. That is up to SLTRC. So how can you give a guarantee that this project will be complete by end of July?
2. Renantha says: [quote] The main wireless access point/bridge used is from Strix Systems (www.strixsystems.com) is more geared towards providing wifi access in indoors and not in an outdoor situation.[unquote]
I do not think you have addressed this issue fully. Why do you want to use a system more geared towards providing indoor wifi access in an outdoor LAN? Why not use an outdoor unit (with the proper antenna)? This wont be a problem if SLTRC deregulates the bands. What matters is not the power of the antennas but the bandwidth.
So why do you think an omni directional indoor unit is better than a multi directional outdoor unit in a multi point out door network?
Sat on a wall
Dear Revantha,
In one of your posts you say: [quote] I’ve been in the field long enough to see successful wifi implementation carried out by an innovative group of handful local ISP’s using variety of low cost solutions. [unquote]
Can you please give us some examples where such projects have been carried out. I ask only about outdoor wireless LANs. Not Indoor. If SLTRC has not deregulated the 2.4 and 5 GHz bandwidths how can anyone implement such LANs? How can they bring the equipment to SL?
Can you please elaborate?
revantha
Well “Sat on a wall” I do not want to start a name game… as per my knowledge there are 2 ISP (probably more)in Colombo who are using Wireless technologies to deliver internet and other data services to a varied set of clients, using equipment from Aironet/Cisco to Mikrotik and what not…
let me take you a brief historical journey as to why the TRC is facing issues of de-regularizing the ISM 2.4Ghz band.. long before the ISM band came in limelight TRC allocated the 2.4Ghz band (more or less allocated it over) to couple of local ISP’s, this was during the era of I would say 1990’s and charged them a fee for using the frequency, so if now all of a sudden TRC goes on and make the frequency free for all they would be entangled on a legal issue with the ISP’s who have been paying for the frequency all this while….plus due to the inherent limitations of the 2.4Ghz ISM band if the band is made free for all (for outdoor I mean) the ISP’s using the band at the moment might encounter service quality issues as well. SO looking at these issues it’s a long journey ahead to get things sorted out…
I am not aware of the 5Ghz band usage locally but you never know it may be used in the tiger territory…
magechinthana
Revantha,
I have read about the Mesh network at http://summit.airjaldi.com/home/dharamsala-wireless-mesh-network/
Yes, this is a very good example and I am sure we in Sri Lanka can learn a lot from this example. However, don’t you think everything in Dharamsala had been made possible because outdorr WiFi has been deregulated last year.
Do you think the same will be possible here, if the TRC deregulates outdorr WiFi? Any idea when that will be done?
This is what they say about the devices they use.
The AJMR is built around a SBCs (Single Board Computers) which we extract from low-cost popular WiFi devices such as Linksys’s WRT54G.
While most of the SBCs we use, utilizes a 200mhz MIPS CPU with 4Mb of Flash memory and 16Mb of RAM, we also use much lower-scale units and recently also more powerful units. We find the Netgear WGT634U, to be most suitable for our application and we are happy to see a constant decrease in it’s price. This small SBC draws less power then its bulkier cousins, features a MiniPCI slot for radio card, hosting a great Atheros b/g radio, double the flash and ram of the WRT54G and maybe the greatest feature of all is a USB2.0 port.
Does this mean they manufacturte their own devices (at least partially)? Can we do that here? If so that will definitely reduce the cost of the equipment. Any thoughts?
revantha
Hi Magechintha,
thanks you sir for your kind words I will come back to you shortly on the issues you raised. Just want to put this idea across isnt it high time that we put together a wireless user group like the once which exist in other countries…(will give you example soon)
Forum members over to you wouldnt it be a good idea…appreciate your input…
thx..
Sat on a wall
Dear RW from ETPL,
I am waiting for your replies to my two questions.
Catalyst 4948
Can someone tell me more about this WIFI project at Maha-somewhere? Sorry I cannot access the Daily Mirror site.
revantha
Catalyst 4948,
You could find more infor on http://www.apdip.net/projects/ictrnd/2004/L43-lk/
also have a look on http://www.horizonlanka.org
thx
Sat on a wall
Catalyst,
In addition to what Revantha says, this is what you find in ICTA site.
ICTA looks at Innovative Communication Solutions for Rural Sri Lanka
Mahavilachchiya Mesh Networking Pilot Project
25th April 2006
A student in the rural areas of Sri Lanka has to pay an average of Rs. 150 for 30 minutes as internet surfing charges mainly because service is scarce in these areas. This amount does not include transportation costs and the time spent to reach the internet café. The demand for knowledge of IT has increased in Sri Lanka but not at the pace of other developing countries mainly due to barriers such as the high cost of hardware equipment and system software, high Internet surfing charges (to be paid to the ISP separately), telecommunication charges (to be paid to the telecom service provider), cost of electricity and value added taxes (VAT) applicable to the above services. These reasons prevent rural children from advancing and reaping the benefits of IT.
The Horizon Lanka Institute is a non profit organization situated in Mahavilachchiya that provides education including English, Science, Mathematics, Computer Science and Graphics to about 200 village kids. This school is exceptional because they have been able to receive aid from foreign donors to provide children with computers to their homes. The children have a zeal to learn about computers and have developed websites after studying graphics and web design. Currently about 50 households have computers but they do not have internet access nor are they connected in a network.
In February 2005, ICTA partnering with Enterprise Technology (Pvt) Ltd, was awarded a grant by the Pan Asia ICT R&D grants program to set up a pilot mesh network in Mahavilachchiya. Mesh networking is a new innovative solution that can provide a low cost communication network to villages in rural areas that are hardest to reach. This pilot project aims at providing high-speed internet access to 30 households and to identify the key success factors for sustainable services. New Orleans recently built a free citywide network using mesh technology after identifying that it could have facilitated in the Katrina hurricane relief.
Mesh networking comprises of a series of smart digital routers (Meshboxes) designed to carry high performance wireless internet over a wide area. Mesh networking is unique because instead of having a central server which determines how data is passed between computers, the mesh creates a network of equals, so individual computers find the best way to communicate with each other. All the computers are connected together to form a resilient network in such a way that the more devices there are on a network, the more routes there are through it. It can grow organically and will automatically organize itself. The ad hoc nature of the mesh makes it easy to start small and expand where necessary, without the complex reprogramming involved with adding to a traditional, top-down network. If one node were to fail, the network will automatically redirect data through an alternative route.
Despite the fact that his project would cater to the requirements of a very rural community, it is now facing restrictive frequency licensing fees imposed by the Government telecommunication regulations. The jungle terrain of Mahavilachchiya has prevented optimum coverage and necessitated an increase in the number of nodes to be used (preliminary testing was carried out using two nodes); consequently, the frequency charges have gone beyond the budget availability of the project. Currently discussions are underway to reduce the license fees drastically so that the funding for this project will be sufficient to provide connectivity to all 30 homes.
revantha
Hi Magechinthana,
Apologies for the late reply, late me address your concerns;
Please refer to the following web sites to get an overview of the SBC devices which are more geared towards setting up low cost but highly reliable wireless infastrcutures
http://www.mikrotik.com
http://www.metrix.net
I know for a fact that Mikrotik devices are used heavily by LankaCom to deploy there wireless services to the clients, metrix is yet to be heard and used in Sri Lanka but Mikrotik has a big time presence with the ISP LankaCom.
Sadly none of the above devices are reachable to us cos the mighty TRC may block us from getting the units, thats a sad story but we are actually beeing deprived of useing an innovative low cost solutions to achive many a things in the case of Mahavillachiya there are plenty of low cost viable solutions available but sadly none are explored.
Please checkout the sites for wireless antennas and other gadgets.
http://www.hyperlinktech.com
http://www.sharperconcepts.net
Also Linksys WRT54G comes with a Linux kernel which could be fine tuned and custermized as well. I will shortly share with you couple of publications on low cost viable wireless technologies accessible to developing countries.
thx..
revantha
Hi “Sat on a wall”,
I dont think RW will come back with answers, not too sure what the rationale for her to matain the silence..
Muchalinda
Has this site now become the place for people to settle their personal grudges with others?
In one thread we hear about the Catholic mafia and the grandmother of Prof. Samaranayake and in another thread this guy Revantha uses the free web space to tarnish the image of a competitor.
Given that he himself is a network engineer, how ethical for Revantha to talk about the failures of the projects implemented by the competitors? Should he abuse this free web space for that purpose like this?
If he is so passionate about ICT for development activities, isn’t it better for him to get involved in such projects himself than criticising what others do? Will Revantha like if one of his own competitors use this space to critisise his activities? If Revantha is not the person who finances this project why is he so concerned?
revantha
Dear Muditha,
I have no grudges against ETPL or ICTA please don’t get my professional affiliation into this context. I am merely highlighting the actual facts, which I believe the members of the forum would understand…
I am open for criticism always and I have no hidden agenda’s it seems Muditha that you are representing a particular party since your comments are biased by nature.
I have no affiliations to Horizon Lanka (though i have been assisting them in my own small ways by donating used computers and ICT related publications) and i have no affiliations to UNDP right now.
Muditha I am not financing this project that’s true but I have all the right to highlight what’s happening and what’s not happenings on a process which I have a interested in, and I believe I own that right and you have no right to contradict it. Your representation in this forum highlight quite clearly about your professionalism in addressing an issue of this nature
In a Nut Shell Muditha you are still too SMALL and amateurish my friend in addressing the deep impacts of this project.. this dialogue goes beyond your thinking patterns which are limited, may I say that you wait for couple years and have your eyes wide open to the happenings of the world and spend more time in reading more material on different aspects of ICT and it’s development related publications… just a piece of advice my friend…take it or leave it no issue (checkout http://www.ieee.org there are some fantastic articles, checkout http://www.cuwireless.net for wireless community network implementation you would be amazed )
Also Muditha if I am abusing this free space the admin of the forum would have shut me down long time ago. just need to wind of by elaborating the fact that I have no grudges against ETPL (inclusive of RW) or the ICTA…I have been in touch with RW from last year (on occasionally though) and have proposed that atleast they (she) get in touch with the Network research group of the Waikato university in New Zealand (http://www.crc.net.nz/ ) in exchanging information and best practices related to similar rural wireless networking projects of this nature. But sadly none had been heeded to so far. Now please don’t lambaste me saying I have an affiliation to University of Waikato in NZ !!!!
I need the members in this forums to see the actual picture and by enlarge at least make a long lasting effort for the said project to be successfully implemented with the proper proven viable technology(s)… and bring about a benefits to the communities concern and aim for replicating a similar model in other rural areas of Sri Lanka…. That’s all my friend my agenda is Simple “Connectivity to everybody, use the proper technology viable to our country and give more power to the local tech thinkers and innovators to go that extra mile to be innovative” that’s all…
I am no RF expert and no Network Expert so Over to you…
thx..
revantha
Sorrey folks the above Muditha should be Muchalinda apologies for the typo…
Nimal
I agree with Muchalinda. This site should not be one where competitors bad mouth each other but one where people could voice suggestions and say something that will benefit the IT industry in Sri Lanka. It seems like Revantha really has no job but to reply to people…
This is the last time I will voice my opinion, but I check this blog on and off to see if people have any quality words to share. I was disappointed to see Revantha completely criticise a project that he has no involvement in just because he is a competitor. Settle your personal grudges seperately and spare us the pain of reading it especially if you do not have your facts straight.
So please, for the sake of others, make true statements that will raise discussion to help us develop and get ahead in IT.
revantha
Hi “Sat on a Wall”
The article you shared above speaks volumes about the wireless mesh networking and it’s benefits that would bring about to the communities and all the other good things..but sadly the author(s) fail to address the economical viability and the sustainability of the technology in a local context (it may be fine in the US of A ) in a nutshell I would like to post the following question to RW and the others :
1.Mesh box if implemented who is going to maintain ?? what resources do you need for it’s sustainability and do you think it would be viable for each house in Mahavilachchiya to maintain a mesh box just facilitate the mesh networking infrastructure
2. who is going to pay for the electricity for the mesh box (even if the consumption is ultar low)
3.what are we trying achieve with a mesh box if there is only one internet link coming to the village as oppose to multiple redundant links terminating at key locations. Since the original agenda was to provide internet access to the kids around the area from the 128k single internet link terminating at the horizon lanka foundation complex
4.what costs are we talking about in terms of the mesh box implementation and what technologies are we looking into (open source or otherwise)
The Mahavilachchiya project was inaugurated or at least the funds were approved to the ICTA as far back in 2004/Dec (http://www.apdip.net/projects/ictrnd/2004/L43-lk/) what are the deliverables so far ??? other than mounting omini-directional antenna on an existing tower which hardly relays a useful signal for less than 100m (may be 70m,) and setting up non functioning two point to point links as oppose to much talked about mesh topology links…
I am no scientist but it is my thinking that if I am running a test site I should include to the test site at least partially the actuals of the live or the intended configuration… but in context of the ongoing dialogue the implementor talks about wireless mesh networking but have tested point-to-point links is this the reality ??? isn’t the mesh box missing ??? or did the TRC said no to use the mesh box ??? WHERE IS THE MESH BOX ????
revantha
Nimal,
I am not a competior as you class me Just becuase I mentioned a name of an ISP in the local context dont jump into conclusions… as for the rest you said I leave for the forum members to judge…
thx..
Muchalinda
I think this guy Revantha works with Donald Gaminitilaka. Both have very similar characteristics. Both have nothing else to do at their offices so go on critisising others without doing anything worthwhile themselves. Both are not happy with ICTA. Apparently both of them have so much time to kill posting here.
revantha
My Dear Friend Muchalinda,
I do not have any relationship with Mr.Donald Gaminitilaka, but i believe he is presence is very widely felt in an another forum of this site… anyways since you mention about the ICTA and I am being venomous towards the ICTA; I would like to kindly remind you to look at the crust of the issue which is highlighted above posts..
I respect for what ICTA is trying to achieve and I criticize when they fail to look at the big picture so in that essence i have no hidden agenda’s in tarnishing the image of the ICTA nor of it’s representatives… you are petty minded you are locked in your own little world my friend wake up don’t wash other dirty linen.. see for your self what’s happening and then speak out….
thx..
Not impressed
Revantha, I personally would appreciate if you could not take up space in the blog criticizing what people before you have written. I notice a common trend in your writing, you crush a thought and then attack that person if you do not agree. Recognise that everyone has a right to a different view and your view is not always the right one.
Let’s all try to get along instead of “judging” and write more about wifi technology and how it can impact Sri Lanka.
Dr. Livingstone
While we are at the topic of Mahawilachchiya let me add what I have heard. (Please correct me, if I am wrong.)
After the GKP Forum, there was a plan to take some of the international delegates to Mahawilachchiya village to show the good work that had been done there. In fact, this was initially organized by Grandfather Sam’s own people.
At the last moment Grandfather Sam vetoed this visit ostensibly because of the security.
Security in Mahawilachchiya? I think Colombo is much more dangerous. GKP Forum was held at Hilton, just less than one kilometer from a location a bomb blast took place few weeks back.
It is not difficult to guess why Grandfather Sam stopped the international delegates visiting Mahawilachchiya. It was an achievement of another bright young man. And to Grandfather Sam young and bright professionals are like chili power in his eyes. How can he let international delegates see a project where he has no had, and a project which he himself has criticized so much just few months back?
I know even by writing this I may put NW in further trouble, but we do need to bring these issues to the public domain.
I think it is great that we have this forum. Now we have an opportunity to discuss issues like this which perhaps five years ago, Grandfather Sam would have conveniently swept under the carpet.
Revantha
Doc Livingston,
As for the GKP forum and the aftermath I too heard that the delegates were to visit the Mahawilachchiya to see the functions carried out by Horizon Lanka and the impact on the community at large, but I guess the visit did not go through, not too sure what the rationale was to cancel the visit last moment but guess a security issue was highlighted…
But folks as correctly pointed out by Dr. Livingstone Mahawilachchiya could be termed more safer than Colombo I never encountered any issues while visiting and spending the night over By the way there are already two female volunteers from UK who are loved by the kids and are tasked with teaching english to the kids…
I would like to invite armchair critics to visit Mahawilachchiya and see the true facts…
Dopnald Gaminitillake
Mahavilachchiya was found by a Daily Mirror feature journerlist Mr Gamini Akmeemana
His article was published in IPS services. I picked up this news from Lacnet news letter when I was in Japan.
I am not blowing my own horn My wife and I gave them the initial hand , guide them the proper way, went to Mahavilachiciya during the war time (even before the CFA) nothing happened. It is safer than Colombo.
Now that small project had grown bigger and both of us look at it from a distance.
Next is my Sinhala project http://www.akuru.org this is for the every person who use the language Sinhala. Implementing my system I can create thousands of Mahavilachchiya’s in Sri Lanka.
I am guiding another one at Higurukaduwa. It is also at very initial stages. your help is welcome
If you guys really want to help, Please help the following person too
Mr Anada Weeerasena of Malabe Boys Modle School, Malabe
Email me if you need Mr Ananda’s phone number
Revantha if you have some resourses help Malabe.
Donald Gaminitillake
Colombo
revantha
Hi Donald,
Would glad to be of any help, let me know how i could proceed..
thx..
EyesWideOpen
Dr. Livingstone,
Cancelling the GKP event was a very minute incident compared to what Prof Sam did to destroy Mahavilachchiya project in 2003. He got his buddies in CSSL to crush the future of the young men and women in that village by stopping all the funding opportunties using his evil plans. There are recorded voice cuts where Ugly, Bad Sam conspired aginst those in the jungle. No sooner than later Sam and his buddies will make Mahavilachchiya at the targt of mud slinging again. After being the President, Sam prevented even ICTA helping Mahavilachchiya many times but ICTA did its best to help the project in its capacity.
I too feel very sorry for those young people there and they will be dead silent to all these misdeeds as they are sacred to talk due to the pressure put by Sam and his buddies.
Prof Sam threatned all the journalists who wrote about MV project and even tried to cancel a TV program on MV sometime back. Sam comes and talks on TV about the importance of taking IT to the villages but when those kids are doing it in the jungles Prof Sam did his best to prevent them achieving success. If we didnt have a Sam in SL, MV would have become another Microsoft or Google by now. Unfortunately those people there are so fed up and the project is in great danger now.
Thoppi Velenda
Dr. Livingstone / EyesWideOpen,
I totally agree with you.
As Dr. Livingstone correctly puts it, Mahawilachchiya Horizon Lanka project has always been like chilli powder in the eyes of Grandpa Sam. Sam did everything possible to destroy it from its very inception.
I too have heard that Grandpa Sam had warned journalists not to write anything about this project saying Nanadasiri Wanninayake is a crook. Fortunately there were some journalists Grandpa Sam could not buy.
On the positive side, the extraordinary success of the project too was also due to the commitment of some other officers of ICTA.
Without any doubt, Manju Hattotuwa takes the lion’s share of the credit for helping the little kids in Mahawilachchiya and making this e-village what it is today. Actually Manju had gone out of the way to help this project. Since there was no funding he diverted funds from some other project. I am sure he made the right decision. I am also sure Manju today feel extremely proud of that decision.
It was Manju who gave Oxygen to this project; when Grandpa Sam was trying his best to strangle it and kill it prematurely.
Also Wanninayake and his little heroes, Isuru, Ruvini, Radhika, Majith and all were too smart for Grandpa Sam. They silently but bravely faced all barriers put in their way by the vicious old man.
Had you been at Hilton, the day these little heroes did their presentation at CSSL, when both the sound system and multimedia projector failed to work for some unknown reason, it would have brought tears to your eyes. It was on that day I realized Grandpa Sam could never stop these courageous little kids.
So finally Grandpa Sam had no option than admitting defeat. Now he is trying to kiss the hand that he could not cut.
Wanninayake, take my advice. In future you have to be very careful about this old ugly man full of jealousy. Be extremely careful. Here is a man full of venom ever ready to bite you.
To give credit where it is due, within ICTA so many others have worked towards making this project a success. Chitrangani and Maithri have definitely done a lot and I have heard Radley and Reshan too are now playing important roles in the mesh networking part. Sorry if I have missed anyone. I know there are many dedicated and hardworking officers at ICTA.
Recently a two storied Computer lab was opened at Mahawilachchiya and you can see some pictures taken at http://www.horizonlanka.com/news/opening_ceremony/speeches.htm
You will immediately observe the genuine smile in the face of Manju. He has every reason to be proud of the great work he has done by giving a helping hand to this project.
On the other hand, Grandpa Sam, conscious of the dirty work he did in the beginning, did not have guts to visit Mahawilachchiya. He had to send his so-called ‘congratulatory message’ through another officer!
I am sure the small kids in Mahawilachchiya will have learnt a lot from this firsthand experience. All the best to you kids. We want you to build the Infosys of Sri Lanka one day!
Do not let ugly old jealous men ever stop you in your path!
Manivatte Abhikkamma!
More, more and more
Dear Thoppi Velenda,
Not only this. Prof made sure those kids’ presentation (at CSSL 2003) come as the last item of the day so that it could get the least number of listners. Mess up in sounds and projectors was also a part of the drama. It is said that the children (presenters) were even refused the lunch on that day by the organizers at a time they threw out a huge amount of food after lunch!!!!!!!!!! The idea must have been to weaken the kids.
Prof had also asked the American IT guru who made the keynote speach at the event not to highlight Horizon anywhere else. But he still promotes Horizon all over the world.
If you go into details, it was during this event that prof maliciously threw out a paper which was submitted by contreversial Donald to do a presentation. So, Donald-VK grudge started here and poor children in Horizon were the casualties as Prof took the revenge from those innocent kids in Mahavilachya.
Wanni, do not be scared, there are thousands of people who love and respect you and the children. Come here and speack the truth yourself. Keep your head high. Mud slingers cannot harm you. You are not the little guy from the jungle. You are stronger than Tarzan boy.
As for the Manju’s part, this (Promoting Horizon) could be the only happiness Manju takes back home when he leaves next month. Manju, hats off to you. At least you have one feather in your hat. It’s a pity that the new ‘owners’ of ICTA (Prof Sam n the Clan) will cut off all the help to the jungle.
Wanni, better get an insurance coverage yourself!!!!!! Prof has Sam Sung (korean) money to hire underworld thugs.
Catalyst 4948
I think dealing with SAMSUNG will make SAM-SUNG!!! (Sam ivarai) :-)
Sorry Sam, could not help the pun!
Donald Gaminitillake
More, more and more (from Dharamsala meeting on WiFi)
Quote””it was during this event that prof maliciously threw out a paper which was submitted by contreversial Donald to do a presentation. So, Donald-VK grudge started here and poor””unquote
I presented a paper for 22nd National Information Technology Conferance = held 3-4 July 2003 at Colombo Plaza (today – Cinnamon)
My paper was rejected but Mr Dimuth Abeysuriya invited me to a public lecture at the university.
I was the first person to tell the public in Sri Lanka that complete Characters has to be used in a computer.
Now I will quote something
All quoted by “Proceedings of the 22nd National IT Conferance Colombo Sri Lanka” ISBN 955-9155-11-3
Topic “The Reality of Digital Government By Prof V K Samaranayake”
Page 5, section 4.1 Issue
….. Need to use National Languages…
….. Need for Litracy aand languages Skills
Page 7 Section 4.2
Content
– Use of Local languages
…… Although UNICODE standards have been available for both languages since 1998, there are many more problems to be solved
This remark by professor himself proves that sinhala unicode is incorrect and incomplete.
I will copy the same text into the myths too
Donald Gaminitillake
Colombo
goswami
Donald and others, please keep discussion on Sinhala unicodes, fonts, etc in the one thread where it is being discussed. Kindly do not proliferate same topic in different threads. Thanks for your cooperation.
Divakar
CSSL
All,
Do not make CSSL the scapegoat for what Prof Sam did. Only less than 10 ppl approved prof’s dirty deeds. Rest of the CSSL crowd still supports the kids from Mahavilacciya. Those days prof was too powerful in CSSL and we couldn’t raise our voice. Children, we are with you. Let’s hope MESH works well with you guys.
Donald Gaminitillake
Quote
prof was too powerful in CSSL and we couldn’t raise our voice.
unquote
This proves that you guys are lacking a back bone.
In a democratic country 90% is scared of the DIno
Unable to voice and tell the truth for the betterment of the country
This shows the lack of resposibility.
Most beauty of it is you publish to the world your own ingenuity without any shame.
Out of your group I respect Dimuth.
Donald Gaminitillake
Colombo
samarajiva
Hoping to bring the discussion back to wireless networking, I would encourage the participants to look at the recently posted research paper on WiFi in Indonesia: http://www.lirneasia.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Indonesian Wi-Fi Study 1.2.pdf
Another related article is at http://www.lirneasia.net/2006/02/wireless-and-development/
The basic argument here is that wireless cannot be dropped in without the policy and regulatory prenditions being satisfied.
In summary, if the policymakers and regulators can
1. Create the conditions for build out of backbone networks so that reasonably priced leased lines are available throughout the country, and
2. Enable users and ISPs to build their own access networks using WiFi,
the problems of Mahavilachchiya will be solved.
Revantha
Continuing back on the wireless situ at Mahavilachchiya, like I outline on one of my earlier post, TRC has allocated the 2.4Ghz ISM band to couple of ISP and a cable TV operator in the country (please correct me if I am wrong), this was long before the ISM terminology was adopted and the frequency allocation was done by the respective standards institutes. I do not fault TRC for doing this at that point of time cos there was a request and they simple heeded for that without anticipating the future events that would take place in the wireless spectrum.. any way now that’s history….
So now I believe it’s an uphill battle for the TRC to free the 2.4Ghz ISM for the general public after all the said companies had been paying for it all this while and their services could affected…. I would say it would be a multi dimensional approach together with the necessary government support the TRC must muster in order to find a long lasting solution for this issue . I am not too sure what the thinking pattern of the TRC in this matter but perhaps Prof.Samarjeewa could enlighten us as to what avenues the TRC is looking in the resolving this ISM band issue, cos I’ve heard that TRC was looking to free up the 2.4Ghz ISM band for a once off cost (said to be a very nominal fee).. any ways if Prof.Samarajeewa could provide his arguments on this it would be appreciated…
Well coming back to MV… and the masterpiece : Wireless Mesh Networking Project it is quite evident that ICTA and the project implementor put forward the project proposal and got cracking on the project without knowing the rules of the game by enlarge the TRC’s goldern act. Any way since the project has been initiated (though progress has been limited in providing a tangible benefit to the community at large). Let me put it in a simplified manner oh how if the project could be got off the ground had the necessary think tanks being a bit innovative..
So let me start : the 2.4 GHz ISM band at this point of time is the baby of couples of selected ISP plus a cable TV operator… their service lines are more or less in and around Colombo and greater Colombo areas mostly but hardly the respective major service lines touch base at MV except the case of one ISP.. So for example if a techy in MV wants to setup a wireless access network between the Horizon Lanka foundation and his home, he could contact the one of the ISP’s (who have access right to the frequency) and get the job done.. the infrastructure is owned by the ISP, the techy probably pay an agreed monthly payment for the service.. TRC cannot find any fault cos the installation as done by an ISP who has a legitimate right of using the frequency band..is’nt it quite simple… I am no expert on the TRC act and the legal frame work which surrounds it but please let me know if my argument is wrong or it needs any tinkering..
I am not too sure in the case of the MV Wireless mesh Networking Projects if the above model was given any thought.. it is quite evident that the chosen systems integrator was trying to have the cake all by his self (or should I say herself ) without actually looking at the bigger picture.. If you don’t own the damn frequency you cant do the darn job and you cant put the icing on the Air.. no amount of pestering the TRC will get the job done…so why not work with an entity who already have access to the frequency and get the job completed… unless you have any other hidden agendas…:0 and probably agreeing on the modalities of the sustainability of the project and building the capacity at MV to maintain the project and hand them over the total ownership of the project say after 1 year down the line….( if this path had been already looked at, please elaborate)
As for Horizon lanka paying for the frequency that’s a Joke my friends. These guys are running on donor money and in dire straits of getting the required funding for carrying of the much needed educational programs for the kids…hence I am sure that the donors too would not like the money spending on a frequency allocation for which they have no interest on.
Also the project was a brain child of the ICTA and ICTA should be paying for the frequency charge if that’s the way forward .. not Horizon lanka ( I am not a spoke person for Horizon Lanka but simply airing my thoughts…), even the bus which was operating between Anuradhapura and MV to get kids ( 50 odd) from the Anu’pura was stopped too, cos the budgetary allocation was not enough to continue the transport services……
So Horizon paying for the frequency … Are we looking at the Correct Picture if at all if the project gets off the ground (for which I have my doubts)…. Over to you folks.
thx.
Sat on a wall
Can anyone update me on the progress of this Mesh networking project?
Has it moved forward after the discussion here or still at the same point?
revantha
Last I heard was that it would be completed by August/2006, perhaps RW could provide us with an update.
Plum Pudding
It is pathetic how some people in Colombo take the poor village kids for a ride.
The information of this project is available at http://www.apdip.net/projects/ictrnd/2004/L43-lk
It says the following,
Community Mesh Network for Mahavilachchiya, Sri LankaDocument Actions Grant awarded in November 2004 to Information and Communication Technology Agency, Sri Lanka to develop a low-cost wireless broadband architecture for providing high-speed Internet access services in Mahavilachchiya.
Project Title:
Community Mesh Network for Mahavilachchiya, Sri Lanka
Recipient Institution:
Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka
Project Leader:
Manju Haththotuwa, CEO/Managing Director
Amount and Duration: US$ 27,656 / 18 months
Commencement Date:
December 2004
Abstract of Project
Internet access is largely perceived as a way to reduce isolation, provide educational and economic opportunities, and ultimately improve the quality of life. Unfortunately, high capital and operating costs have limited rural access to a handful of heavily subsidized and supported demonstration projects in Sri Lanka. An innovative integrated strategy, based on existing technology and rural social structures, could address a variety of barriers and ultimately help get large numbers of villagers on the Internet.
Mahavilachchiya is a part of the rural sector of Sri Lanka that still remains largely unconnected to the Web. Even though there is a high density of computers in the village, they do not have internet access nor are they connected to each other.
However according to Revantha, this project had hardly commenced. Almost nothing had been done since Dec 2004. That was nearly one and half years ago.
The company that has undertaken the implementation of this project is ETPL and as far as I know they have also bid for the implementation of LGN project that involves setting up an island wide computer network connection the DS offices.
My question is how can a company which is not even capable of implementing a simple mesh network implement and maintain an island wide WAN?
ICTA should consider this fact before awarding the tender for LGN.
revantha
Continueing in the same lines on what Plum Pudding elaborated Quote “Mahavilachchiya is a part of the rural sector of Sri Lanka that still remains largely unconnected to the Web. Even though there is a high density of computers in the village, they do not have internet access nor are they connected to each other.” Unquote
You hardly get a decent mobile signal in MV, teleco providers in Colombo go very hyper on CDMA but you hardly get a decent CDMA coverage in MV. The 2 or 3 CDMA connections I saw were useing external antennas (The likes we use for TV reception) to get across the CDMA connectivity but there is congesstion when ever you try to ring up an outbound number.
While I was at the Horoizon lanka Foundation I saw villagers carrying across mobile handset and comeing near to the LankaCOm’s 120feet high tower errected (for getting across internet connectivity) at the Horizon Foundation which also host a Dialog GSM mini antenna to get a decent signal and make an outbound call, even at 10.30pm this trend continued.
Well overoll it’s quite sad how most of the service providers tend focus only on Colombo and the surburbs and forget about the rest of the country (specially the rural areas)… perhaps they are interested in covering their short term targets and keeping to the budgeted figures accordingly rather than provideing a service to the country at large…I believe this trend would continue in the Sri Lankan telecom/ISP sector in years to come cos no matter how big investments are made in advaceing the infrastructure for fancy services only affordable to a specific class.. it’s more or less the fancy media coverage the service providers are after…
thx..
Donald Gaminitillake
Quote
comeing near to the LankaCOm’s 120feet high tower errected
uquote
This tower belongs to Horizon. Horizon had to find the funds for the tower.
With lots of difficulty Horizon collected funds for this tower.
If Mobitel or Lanka Bell use this tower facility to give mahavilachchiya area a proper connection it will cover a radius of 30 Km. But because of thick vegitation around this area the coverage may be reduce to 10 -12 Km.
Lanka Bell why not give it a try. So the people will be “kurukuruless”
Donald Gaminitillake
Colombo
Nuwan
This is a very interesting discussion. I have involved with Horizon Lanka for more than 3 years and I know Wanni very well too. Btw, I am a IT professional having over 10 years of experience in US and also the founder of a similar project called Lak Daruwo in Sri Lanka. So I believe that I qualify to comment about this project.
I always visit Horizon Lanka in Mahavillachchiya when I go to Sri Lanka. When Wanni told me about this Mesh project I was very interested and was asking the status of it time to time. This time, when I visited Sri Lanka in May 2006 I went to Horizon Lanka and wanted to see the progress of the mesh network too. My impression of the work completed on this project is quit unsatisfactory. I couldn’t stay there to find out all the details. Also it may be true that there are issues with TRC getting permission to use the equipment. However, I feel that ICTA could have used better products to implement this project. Instead of Strix equipment, they could have used Cisco outdoor access points made for Mesh networking like Aironet 1500 series AP’s. Although these may be more expensive, they provide a better value for the money spend. I also notice that wireless coverage of the access point installed in the building was quit limited. I tried to connect to it using my notebook computer and found that the signal quality to be very low.
I am not going to critise without knowing all the facts behind the implementations decisions. However, this project has been given too much publicity and has been decorated too much in the public eye. Work that has been done does not match the hype it has generated. So I was dissapointed after seeing the implementation. I have already told this to Wanni.
Anyway, I am not a fan of ICTA in Sri Lanka. The money they have spend does not justify the work they have done to improve ICT in Sri Lanka. It seems that I am not the only one with that impression after talking to some high ranking officials.
I am not sure that they will be able to finish the mesh network project by July. That is my opinion after seeing the progress of it in May. However, I want this prject to be a successful one. After all, it is important to our country to see success in this type of project. I hope that the implementors has the same passion as we do to do things right.
samarajiva
In fairness to ICTA, it must be judged by the appropriate criteria.
A few months ago, ICTA was attacked for mistakes in the content of the Parliamentary website. If ICTA is to be held responsible for the detailed implementation of every project that it funds, it would have to have 800 employees like the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. That is obviously not the case.
ICTA manages projects done by others, and for the most part simply gives out money from funds that it manages (e.g., E Society Fund). It can and should be blamed if it releases payments to badly designed or managed projects; but not for the everyday implementation of the projects.
Those who criticize the ICT Agency should do so using appropriate criteria and in a constructive manner. No useful purpose will be served by converting ICTA into another CINTEC. Some of us remember how dysfunctional that entity was.
The comments of “high-ranking officials” do not constitute the best evidence on the efficacy of ICTA. I would need to know what achievements these high-ranking officials have to their credit.
harsha de silva
At a broader level, I think the issue is that no proper independent evaluations are conducted on these projects. People can say various things about this or any other project, but without scientific evaluations, how can one say with any degree of confidence if a project is successful or not?
Tuk Tuk Driver
Like to comment on the issue of pilot project evaluations.
ICTA has already evaluated some of its pilot projects using a local consultancy company and the results are available at http://www.icta.lk/insidepages/downloadDocs/Nenasala/OutcomeEvaluation_of_PilotProjects.pdf
However, in this case ICTA has been the client and the paymaster, so I do not think anyone, including ICTA, will take the outcome seriously.
It should be an unbiased evaluation done by an outsider/outsiders. (definitely not a Sri Lankan and preferably not even a South Asian) The issue is who would finance such an evaluation.
Also a project should also be evaluated against the measurable results stated in the proposals. For example, there is no meaning saying a project is unsuccessful because it did not reduce the poverty level by x%, unless poverty reduction but that percent is stated as an expected outcome. The projects should also be evaluated against the amount of money spent on each. Spending US$ 20k and achieving the result A is different from spending US$ 100k and achieving the same result A.
revantha
Going on the same lines as “Tuk Tuk Driver” and “Harsha”, I believe ICTA should take projects which involved high degree of technical know-how seriously and get couple of independent technical evaluations done before going ahead on the final decision making and the selection process.
For example if you take on the MV wireless mesh networking project, as I outline in one of my earlier post, the wireless mesh networking concepts would not be able to be applied in it’s original format to the case of MV, but it would be more of customized solution with the appropriate proven technology used. The wireless market segment is complicated with offering from vendors the likes of Cisco’s and the Aruba’s and the 3Com’s and the Alvarion’s and so on in providing enterprise class services to the likes of Mikrotik and Metrix who ;look more on a community level wireless deployments…
I believe it is upto the wisdom ,the creativity and the experience of the solution provider to come up with a best fit solution while taking into consideration the financials, sustainability of the solution, impact on the community, environmental barriers which exist at the a given location..
What I see in ICT solution business industry in the local context is that most of the so called industry leaders are yet to get out onto the field with a with an enthusiasm to deploy the best fit technologies for a scenario, rather they tend to tag along with a preferred set of vendors/suppliers who they think is the best….But we need to look around talk to people who have done similar projects and share best practices among each other in successfully implementing projects which have a deep impact in a community , But I doubt if this process is given any thought
thx..
Dr. Livingstone
Dear Prof. Samarajeewa,
You say:
[quote]
It (ICTA) can and should be blamed if it releases payments to badly designed or managed projects; but not for the everyday implementation of the projects.
[unquote]
Very true. However, what actually happens is usually ICTA tries to take credits more than its deserved share. So even when there is a problem with implementation, people naturally tend to point a finger at ICTA.
If you can remember the inauguration of the parliamentary web site, you might remember it was publicity crazy ICTA chairman who tried to pop in his rectangular face to every TV channel, as if he himself is the only one who worked in the project.
In fact, ICTA had only disbursed money for the project. That was not even its own money, but WB money. So ICTA should have taken a back seat and let the people who actually did the work to take the credit.
Instead, ICTA Chairman decided to earn some extra marks from his political masters so media and public got the wrong message. So when things went wrong media/public naturally put the blame on ICTA.
The bottom line as long as ICTA tries to earn more credits than it deserves, it will have to share part of the blame too, as and when it comes. One cannot say yes to extra credit and no to extra blame.
Nuwan
There is no point criticizing anything. However, we should point out the failures and find alternative approaches to make things work. Bottom line is that, ICT is very important to Sri Lanka. We have a talent pool in the rural areas which needs to be educated, polished properly to make them a productive workforce the improve the ICT productivity in Sri Lanka. India and China is doing that. Those countries has taken initiatives to introduce national level policies to improve ICT infrastructures, education etc to prepare those countries to take the advantage of the changing world economy. We must also work to position our country to do that. That is what I see the role of ICTA. Not to go after small projects and evaluating the success of it or creating web sites. It should also work with the government to lay the foundation necessary to bring growth to ICT in Sri Lanka. Today we don’t even have a proper ICT infrastructure in the country. We have no solid information highway. We still fight over frequencies. Those are important matters to our country. Until we lay out a solid foundation to solve issues with our infrastructure and education, Sri Lanka will not be able to take advantage of these opportunities. That is something I personally try to push for with the government because it is important.
I haven’t evaluated everything ICT does. But I had a opportunity visit one of the ‘Nana Sala’ centers and inquired about there approach. Sorry to say that but its a joke that will not work. There are things that works for Sri Lanka specially in the rural areas. Western policies does not necessary work in our country. Those who does this work, first should understand the country, the people and work with a passion to get things done. The head priest of temple where the ‘Nana Sala’ is opened now wants a Lak Daruwo center be opened in that place because he sees its useless and I am working on getting it done.
I have a reason to be disspointed by seeing the approach that ICTA has taken. There is a better approach and there are important things that must be done. The goal is to bring value to our economy through ICT. And if that is not done I have every right to be dissapointed because I am a person who is passionate about my country and has done a lot of work for it with my time and energy.
Nuwan
Just want to add to my comment above. http://www.icta.lk web site identify itself “as the single apex body involved in ICT policy and directions for the nation”. This clearly communicate there role. Now I would like to ask them what national level policies and directions they have introduced to steer our nation to establish a better ICT environment in Sri Lanka. Clearly ICTA’s main job is not to manage and fund those small projects done by others, according to its purpose identified in its own web site. But everything what they have done so far indicates that they have forgotten there mission and are doing something else. I would like ICTA to come back to the original mission and to do what it suppose to do. That is my message to the Presidents Office under which ICTA functions, when I met the proper officials while in Sri Lanka. Anyway, this is not the message board to discuss about ICTA. We need to talk about the MV mesh network. I only wanted to talk about ICTA because they are involved in this and that many people have made comments about that too. I am in contact with Wanni who is the founder of Horizon Lanka and I will do my best to do what I can to make the Mesh network thing successful because it is important to that village.
harsha de silva
I agree with “Tuk Tuk Driver” when he says “a project should be evaluated against the measurable results stated in the proposal”.
On the contrary, I am surprised why Nuwan thinks evaluations are not necessary when he says “(ICTA’s job is) not to go after small projects and evaluating the success of it …”. Big or small does not matter; when Government agencies spend tax payer money (or money that will have to be repaid by us and our children) on projects, it is our right to know if it brings the expected benefits. If not, they should not spend that money. Also it must be the agency commissioning the project (in this case ICTA) who should pay for the independent evaluation.
Of course this is easier said than done. We waste billions of LKR annually on useless projects; be it in health, agriculture or sanitation. I am not saying that all what the ICTA is spending is useless, but, evaluations should be mandatory for every project. We must learn what works and what does not; and thereafter scale up the ones that work. I think that is what Rohan (Samarajiva) is also getting at saying money should not be released if the project is not going anywhere (badly designed and/or managed). We never seem to learn from our mistakes; we go on making the same mistakes over and over again.
I am not sure if the “mesh project” that some of you are blasting to pieces is a project or a pilot. If it is a pilot, note that it is only a learning exercise and an opportunity to innovate. I think it is not quite fair to pounce on a pilot (if in fact it is one) like this. If we do this, people will be very reluctant to try new things, don’t you agree?
samarajiva
Nuwan,
Useful to read the Act that created the ICT Agency. It was designed as an implementing entity. The Council and the Taskforce that were to set policy were never established, not under the Wickramasinghe government that obtained the funding for e Sri Lanka and enacted the legislation, not under the CBK government, and not under the MR government.
You may say that this is not the place to discuss the design of ICTA’s mission and functioning, but in all your comments you bring those issues in. These are important questions that are being ignored as people jockey for power under the normal bureaucratic incentives.
I would also wholeheartedly agree with Harsha’s comment about using different criteria to judge pilots and projects. ICT is a cross-cutting activity. Doing good ICT implementation requires management of many complex relationships and insulating the project/pilot from the dysfunctional environment within which all government and even private sector activity occurs in Sri Lanka. We have to approach this in a nuanced way. Trashing everything in sight may be fun, but it is rarely productive.
Sat on a wall
Harsha,
[quote]
If it is a pilot, note that it is only a learning exercise and an opportunity to innovate. I think it is not quite fair to pounce on a pilot (if in fact it is one) like this.
[unquote]
I do not know whether you have understood properly what Revantha said about this project.
He does not say it has failed. To fail or not, there is NO project. The money is there. The hurdle put down from TRC had been cleared but in spite of all these this project has never get off the ground. So there is nothing to evaluate at all.
You might have heard the story of the Sri Lankan politician who boasted how a hundred percent of a bridge went to his pocket. (There was no bridge) This is something like that!
Sat on a wall
Prof. Samarajeewa,
Can you enlighten us how you measure the success/failure of the projects carried out by LIRNEasia? What are the yardsticks? Are they measured by the impact they make in the regulatory policy process or by the feedback you get from anyone (governments. media, public, donors)?
I completely understand the nature of the projects you do are very different from what ICTA does. But is there anything that you can contribute which can be useful for ICTA and other government agencies in Sri Lanka) in evaluating their ICT projects?
Nuwan
I am not saying evaluating these pilot projects is something that should not be done. Even horizon lanka itself is a pilot project on educating rural Sri Lanka in ICT. Even Lak Daruwo is something like that. There are success in these and other projects. There are things ICTA/Government can learn from these projects. However, what I am dissapointed about is for all those years, ICTA functioning, they have not formulate any major important policies in the ICT area. These small pilot projects can not change the whole country. Nationa level policies, regulations must be introduced to some major areas to take the country forward in ICT. ICT has been functioning for seveal years. I don’t know how long they are going to be in the evaluation business than getting something important done.
btw, as I understand, MV mesh project is not a direct ICTA funded project, the project proposal has been written by the CEO of ICTA but the funding is not from World Bank. ICTA has received a very large grant as a loan from world bank. That is what our future generations have to pay. And we all as Sri Lankans, have the right to question whether that money is being spend wisely. Anyway, there will be some changes inside ICTA since I am not the only one who is dissapointed. I hope those changes would trigger a change in direction and put ICTA back in its mission.
goswami
BBC article has brief discussion on various wireless standards:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/5040682.stm
themeshbox
While we are on the trail of ICTA can some one enlighten me on the following : in this little isle of a paradise if you wanna provide outdoor comms links you have to get the permission from the all mighty TRC, even the ham radio guys have to… So in this context has the ICTA considered whether the chosen System integrator (ETPL so i hear) has the necessary licenses to operate and provisioning the MV mesh networking project.
If the above process has not been given any thought I believe ICTA has not taken this project seriously and has just dished out the project to the chosen system integrator who does not posses any licenses from the TRC what so ever to operate or to provision outdoor communication infrastructures (wireless or otherwise). While ago I checked the TRC web site to find out whether the ICTA appointed system integrator is listed under any of the categories as a license entity to provide comm. infrastructure but did not find the name under any of the listings.
[http://www.trc.gov.lk/internet_service.htm]
What really baffles me is that how ICTA operates, these guys just get donor money and spend it out like nobody’s business, ICTA may be good at doing up static web pages for government institutions, but while handling an innovative project like this it has failed Miserably….
I would like to drop this question to any ICTA representative in this forum (if there is any) :
1.On what criteria has the system integrator (ETPL) has been selected to carryout the implementation work of this project,
2.Has the ICTA circulate any invitation of expression regarding this project, so that others could respond.
3. The Project manager is listed as the CEO of ICTA, could you please explain to the forum of the progress made so far and why you have failed to deliver the goods, after almost 2 years .
4. What’s the rationale behind awarding the project to a vendor who does not possess a license issued by the TRC to provide outdoor comms infrastructure ?…
ICTA any body out there….??? We are waiting for answers….
revantha
Nuwan,
just quick follow up on your post above, the MV mesh networking project may be a pilot project on it’s own, but the question is wether any body has evaluated on what technologies to be used, rather than getting loss in an array of offerings from vendors and piloting out their stratergies at the cost of the project. I believe you know the difference between an Indoor wireless Access point and an Outdoor Acess point and the limitation each exhibit, but in the case of the MV mesh project the chosen implementor has not given any due consideration to even the basic parameters of the unit used.
Also the project proposal was not completely written by the CEO of ICTA though his name appars as the project manager, the project is funded by UNDP’s Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (www.apdip.net). ICTA’s task was to follow up on the project progress and get it implemented within the stipulated budget. But as of today the project deliverables are a big question ???… I was told by RW that the project would be completed between the period of July-August’2006, at the pace i am not too sure wether the said dealine could achived…
thx…
Muchalinda
I have told this in an earlier post and let me repeat. The two guys Donald and Revantha who basically run two threads here (as if they have nothing else to do at their places) are only critics, not doers. They have never contributed or cannot contribute anything on their own to the local ICT scene, so they go on criticizing the others.
Come on, guys, what is more difficult is to do something. You will find all the problems when you are into something. It is very east for an arm chair critic to blast a project, but the difficult part is to complete one successfully, not to criticize it.
I do not say ICTA is hundred percent perfect, but within its limited existence it has done so many things which would have been dreams just sometime back. I also do not say these two projects, the one on Sinhala fonts and the Mesh Networking project are flawless, but we should be happy because something is happening at least.
Let me tell this both to Donald and Revantha, why do you always try to criticize what others do. Write your own proposals get money and show us what you can do. Do not be jealous about the success of the rest.
As they say, it was not critics who built the Rome and of course, Rome was not built on one day.
Give them sometime and I am sure ICTA will have a superb Mesh Network at MV and kids will be all smiles in few months time. Don’t push things unnecessarily. If you do not have any work at your offices, play Solitaire or Minesweeper in your PCs. It will be a more productive usage of your time than writing these posts with negative stuff.
Revantha
Dear Muchalinda,
While we argue for a cause which you has no clue of and for which you dont make any effort in doing any root cause analysis.
You My friend Act more less like a “Stray Dog” popping out in the middle of a discussion and trying to deviate it.. Grow up mate…. there is much to achive if you wake up from your deep slumber…
thx..
Muchalinda
My dear friend Revantha,
May we know the so-called cause you are arguing for?
What we all see is you just fire everywhere without any aim thinking that one of your bullets will hit the target. Aren’t you feeling ashamed to use a public forum to sling mud at one of your key competitors in the networking business? Are you jealous with ETPL because they got one of the key business you have missed? That is not their fault man, the customers go for the best solutions and who will go for DPIT which will be closed in near future.
It is you who should grow up and start discussing something sensible, instead of blindly criticizing others. Blind criticisms, like the ones you and Donald make will not take you anywhere.
If you are fighting for a cause, select another village like MV, design a solution, get some grants from somebody and build your own network. Why do you waste time on a site where somebody is already implementing a network. No matter how hard you try and how bad you cry this job will not be given to DPIT.
revantha
Muchalinda,
I would appreciate if you dont get any of our professional affiliation into this context, you participation in this forum amply displays your knowledge in this subject domain, hence I have no comments for any of the issues you have raised. Please dont make this forum to dish out your perosonal vandetta.
Thanks to this ongoing discussion on the forum the World knows about whats happeining about the said project which if not would have been swept down under…..
The members of the forum who are a part of discussion would understand the facts raised above,sadly you are a typical small minded person, who has limited thinking patterns my friend.
thx..
Donald Gaminitillake
Dear Muchalinda “”Nagaya””
If I discribe you in one phrase “YOU KNOW NOTHING”
I talk of a standard not a set of FONTS — re Sinhala Akuru.
Came on that thread to talk more
The problems re MESH has been proved in this blog byond resonable doubt.
Technically the entire Board of Directors of ICTA will have to resign and pave way for the people who can work.
There are hundereds of better qulified young people in Sri Lanka than the present group.
1.
Consultant – IT Bank of Ceylon
2.
a medical doctor with an MPH from Johns Hopkins, and the son of one of the original founders!!!!!
3.
Professor of Mathematics.
4.
Deputy Director General National Planning Department Ministry of Policy Planning and Implementation Colombo, Sri Lanka
5.
a grandfather over 70 years
6.
Only person who can do and think differently but beaten up
But none of them have any knowledge of IT or typography or typology or from the publishing industry or know how to write the sinhala alphabet.
Donald Gaminitillake
Colombo
Muchalinda
It is a real surprise that some people keep on talking about failures of others while very conveniently not mentioning a single word about the failures of the projects they themselves are involved in.
David Pieris Information Technologies Ltd. (DPIT) http://www.dpitl.com where Mr. Revantha Udugampola works at present too was given a responsibility of operating the VGK at Matara by the same ICT Agency. This project was one of the most disastrous pilot projects ICTA has ever engaged in.
It is not me who says so. It is Ernst and Young, the consultancy company employed by ICTA for the evaluation of their pilot projects that gives this verdict. This VGK Matara project by DPIT has been evaluated UNSATISFACTORY for its outcome, and NEGLIGABLE on its impact on the target audience. Anyone who is interested can see the results of this evaluation at http://www.icta.lk/insidepages/downloadDocs/Nenasala/OutcomeEvaluation_of_PilotProjects.pdf
Further Ernst and Young had said, the project has not been in the operation for the six months prior to the evaluation date and the centre attacks very few people for IT training and Internet related activities. The report also says the centre does not have enough trainers to provide training for the users. I am sure Mr. Revantha Udugampola will tell us why. Can he deny that it was because DPIT was only interested in money?
This is what Daily Mirror of October 18, 2005 has to say about this project.
[q] THE MOST STARTLING REVELATION IS THE FAILURE OF THE VGK MATARA WHEN SIMILAR CENTERS AT JAFFNA AND NUWARA ELIYA HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. The potential for these centers is tremendous as seen in many parts of the world and ICTA needs to focus fully on getting these community and rural centers up and running across the country. In India the government successfully implemented the Community information center (CIC) project in the far-flung Northeast and the people have accepted it despite initial hiccups. [uq]
Full article is available at http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_opinion.cfm?category=Science&country=SRI LANKA
I wonder what Mr. Revantha Udugampola would say about the total failure of this project which his own organization handled, and which had failed to bring the expected outcome.
Isn’t it better for people to look after their own affairs than criticizing the projects others do?
Hope Mr. Revantha Udugampola of DPIT now learns a lesson not to throw stones at others while living in glass houses.
bystander
For those interested in checking out an article published in Broadband Wireless Exchange Magazine on the product chosen to be used in the mesh project check out this link:
http://www.bbwexchange.com/publications/page1423-150938.asp
Revantha
Muchalinda
Are you trying to be up close and personal in matters which are of no relevance to this discussion and for which I have not been a part of ??. It seems that you are trying stear this discussion to some other destination, perhaps you could ask the forum admin to start a new thread on Failed ICTA initiated projects, perhaps then realities would surface.
Please not dont try to give an impression to the audience that this is a dialogue between solution providers in the industry bitching over each other for a project. Dialogues so far has been conduceive and constructive, none of us have taken our professional affiliations into this context but dishing out the facts as opposed to whats said and done, for which I believe the fellow forum members would vouch. I beleive your mentality is the same as most of the commonners in the local ICT arena. You my friend simply argue for an aggrieved party and your Un-Professionalism is abundantly displayed to the WORLD AT LARGE…
thx..
Muchalinda
My dear friend Revantha,
In this thread there are so many posts about failed ICT projects and about the evaluation etc.
So there is nothing wrong discussing about a project that has failed. Unfortunately for you, it has been undertaken by your own organization.
Do you think criticism is one way process? Those who make criticism should be beardy to reply when someone else questions their activities. Those who throw stones from Glass Houses should be ready to face when someone else throw stones at you. I brought the example of the failed ICT project of DPIT to prove this point.
Comparing the two projects at least ETPL has done something in MV, but DPIT on the other hand has completely failed.
It is not my, but your intention to abuse this free space to disrepute one of your key competitors. I have only exposed you.
Moderators, this should not be the platform for guys like Revantha to take pot shots at their business competitors. It is something very unethical for you to entertain such posts.
goswami
Dear participants, let me make it clear once again that this is a BLOG and not a moderated forum. There are no administrators to review individual posts or to edit them. We are here to discuss serious issues that relate to ICT policy and regulation, not just for Sri Lanka but for developing Asia. Please keep the tone civil and focus on the ideas, not the person behind them.
cheers,
divakar
Doanld Gaminitillake
Quote
This VGK Matara project by DPIT has been evaluated UNSATISFACTORY for its outcome, and NEGLIGABLE on its impact on the target audience.
unquote
Any “mottatya” will say all nanasala’s are unsatisfactory no need to pay Ernst and Young to say so.
How can you have a nanasala in Matara without correct & Proper Sinhala!!!!
Muchalinda why are you so scared come out with your correct identity!
Donald Gaminitillake
Colombo
revantha
Muchalinda,
Just beacuse the said VGK project was undertaken by the organization which I am employed at, it does to lead to the fact that I am answerable to the same and for a process which I was not a part of.
This thread on the forum was not started with a one way wish at all and I would like to categorically elaborate this fact that, DPIT has no dealings what so ever with Horizon nor with the Mesh Networking project, . It may have dealings with the ICTA and other agencies for which I am not a part of and I am not a spoke-person for the organization.
I started contributeing from the 4th post onward to this blog, cos I was personally following up on the wireless networking project at MV, due to the personal relationship I enjoyed with Horizon and also due to the fact that it would induce a positive deep rooted impact on MV community at large, a process which Horizon could show-case to the world and further replicas of the said model (while takeing into consederation the necessary technical alternatives and methodologies) could be implemented at the ground level of the least develop areas of our country to improve internet acces and other underlying communication infrastructure.
But since you did mention the fact that a VGK project has failed in Matara I will check the relevant facts from the
teams who handle the said project.
thx..
Doanld Gaminitillake
Dear Goswami
We got to use local ethnic languages in all over Asia for any ICT project.
All of the indic langauges do have this problem not using the two byte system
Link langauge Engllsh is required but we have to serve ICT to all the local communities with respective mother tongues
Donald Gamnitillake
Colombo
Donald Gamnitillake
Here comes the truth
http://www.icta.lk/insidepages/downloadDocs/Nenasala/OutcomeEvaluation_of_PilotProjects.pdf
I quote from the content of E&Y report given by Muchalinda
quote
SME Portal
Outcome is insatisfactory due to many reasons
…..
– Language being a barrier in the use of the portal
unquote
So I have proved again and again and again
Donald Gaminitillake
Colombo
revantha
Folks,
Some interesting happeings on the wireless sphere Next Door…
http://www.rural.org/workshops/rural_telecom/parker/6.htm
http://www.iitk.ac.in/MLAsia/dgangetic.htm
http://www.iitk.ac.in/mladgp/
thx.
Friendly Advice
Revantha,
Bro, let me give you this friendly advice. You are young. Don’t become another Donald in future. People like Donald can only criticize what others do. They cannot do anything on their own.
If you have a passion for wireless networking and the need to help rural kids, which I see from your posts, you forget about this MV project and do something of your own. MV is not the only village in Sri Lankan. There are tens of thousands of more villages. In those villages too you will find kids who do not have any Internet access because they have no way of communicating.
For a start, you can write to Yahoo groups and technical blogs like this about the necessity of wireless networking and the plans you have in your head. I am sure technical people outside read these blogs (I do not mean this blog only. There are so many other blogs in technical subjects and I remember seen one in wireless networking.) I am sure if you try, you will find so many willing to help you.
There are nearly one million Sri Lankan expats. Try to convince one or two of them and get the wheels rolling.
Please do not bother what others do or not, try to contribute something to the world on your own. Donalds of this world never makes history. They only pass hot air. Do not take an example from him.