Resource Transcript

Resource, A New Perspective on Waste, Sep-Oct 2006

Free to Connector

Bristol Wireless believes intenernet access should be a right, not a privilege. Michael Gapper visits the community project that not only hands out recycled computers but that connects them up for free.

In 2002, "we were having a meeting about setting up a free wireless network for Bristol", says Richard Higgs, the driving force behind Bristol Wireless. "On the way there, we found six computers dumped in a skip outside. We're still using one or two of those machines now."

Higgs has spent the last four years building a free wi-fi internet service covering Brsitols's Easton area. "When I was working in London there was always one thing you couldn't avoid paying for, that was bandwidth," says Rich. "With wireless technology emerging, I saw the opportunity for having acres of bandwidth without having to pay for any of it.

When I moved to Bristol, Easton Community Centre had been given £250,000 to set up an Information and Communication Technology suite, so I proposed farming the internet connection out to the community. We set uo a wireless network based at the community centre and got 10 or 12 people on it fairly quickly. Shortly afterward, we were able to install a second antenna atop a local block of flats and that was when our network really took off".

Around 200 people now use the network. The system features locally produced audio and video, as well as an uplink to the internet courtesy of a local university and Bristol Wireless's own offices.

After establishing the network, Bristol Wirelss set about providing people with the knowledge and technology to use it. Rich explains: "I got to see the health service report on East Bristol, suggesting that (at the time) 80 per cent of people in the area didn't have a computer. Around the same time, we were given a stack of desktop computers from Bristol University's Institute of Physics (sic). We did our first PC-giveaway three years ago, giving away 50 machines all in one day to members of the public, and teaching them how to use them."

With its team of volunteers, Bristol Wireless has gone on to give away nearly 300 recycled computers. A machine is offered to anyone prepared to take a short course on computer usage. "The courses we've decided to offer are for absolute novices. You come out with a good, basic understanding and a computer, so people can go on to teach themselves," says volunteer Sam Rossiter. "Courses are ongoing and take about four weeks usually, so there's constantly something running. we have a mix of young and old interested." Each machine is refurbished, pre-installed with a Linux operating system, a variety of software, and fitted with hardware necessary to connect to the network.

Rich continues: "We like to keep a high turnover so that the computers don't stay with us for very long. Recycling computers takes a lot of space, and you don't want to be storing computers because after two years or so, people are throwing them away. I find it heartbreaking, the amount of kit that goes in the bin. Some of those machines have been wasted."

Bristol Wireless's 'dumpster diving' days have come to an end as new sources of computers and components have emerged. As Sam explains: "Over the last year we have formed a partnership with Byteback Recycling, also Bristol-based. They specialise in dismantling and reusing computers, and are properly accredited for handling hazardous waste. We refer companies and organisations that wish to donate hardware to Byteback. We take and reuse machines and components that would ordinarily go to waste, which save them money and ensures we're never short of good hardware."

It is Bristol Wirelss's sustainability and self-sufficiency that has seen it succeed. Sam says: "We don't want to become reliant on grant funding, so we're developing various pieces of consultancy and support work to bring revenue into the organisation. We're hoping to have a migration package in place to help businesses reuse their older hardware with linux, which of course will have a big impact on how many computers need to be produced and how many need to be disposed of."

Rich has his eyes firmly set on the future. "We're just beginning to embark on the new set-top box project, again building the machines from recycled parts, with wireless internet access, Freeview, and VOIP telephone. We've recently formed a partnership with another local wireless project, and we're eventually looking to expand our coverage across the whole of Bristol. We'll be able to supply the full package - TV, telephone and internet. Now doesn't that sound like Blue Yonder?"

This item is reproduced by kind permission of the publishers.

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