Program :: Janda Zdanek /Thematic Session V
Internet Providers Roundtable

Interconnection Issues for Competitive Communications Providers

CZFree.Net project
short introduction

What is CZFree.Net ?
CZFree.Net is a project of non-profit, broadband network in Czech Republic. It has been started as alternative to current state of communications in Czech Republic, as there is no broadband technology available to public. Project's goals are to spread communication technology to wide public and to offer interesting alternative and platform for development of information technologies, which we found essential for development and success of society in upcoming digital age.

CZFree.Net Applications
CZFree.Net is based on creating and sharing of freely available network medium. Network is build and operated by it's members, so the best effectivity and cost is archieved. Creating of such network media enables members to use for free each available broadband source on it. One of the most important applications is the internet, which is bought on wholesale basis and then redistributed to members, dramatically lowering it's end-users cost. CZFree.Net is supporting all of the interesting broadband projects on ip audio/video platform: radio stations, live transmissions from cultural events and experimental, digital art. CZFree.Net medium brings exceptional possibilites to everybody, who wants to experiment with latest broadband technologies.

Research and Development
Research and development of hardware and software for broadband applications is one of the basic missions of CZFree.Net organization.
CZFree.Net is coordinating and actively supporting research of new technologies, for example devices for transporting broadband bandwidth in backbone network, where is a big demand for transfer capacity. Currently, there is in development new open space laser link, which will enable highly available and fast connectivity transport on the distance up to 2 kilometers, at very competitive price. CZFree.Net is allocating financing and support for all of the new development projects.

CZFree.Net Technology
CZFree.Net is currently building and operating network infrastructure for covering Prague and other towns with IEEE 802.11b wireless 2.4Ghz industry standart. In the same time, newly developed optical links are being tested and prepared for small-series manufacture, enabling users to deploy backbone network in much more efficient way. We are also searching for new solventions on the upcoming IEEE 802.11a 5Ghz industry standart, bringing new speed and less problems with interference.

CZFree.Net - today and tommorow
CZFree.Net is in first phase of deployment technology around Prague. In just five months, it has about 60 users and 30 active access points (nodes), whose had spread on whole territorry of Prague. All of the important parts of Prague are covered with the signal, even with mobile equipment. Network is also spreading out of big towns, it meets lot of interest on the distant rural areas, where is no other alternative technology available. CZFree.Net is preparing second phase of the network deployment, using newly developed backbone optical links. Optical devices will enable truly broadband and quality of service, bringing members another class of wireless broadband.

For the End
CZFree.Net project has been created as and interesting alternative for those, who want to learn, experiment and create in new space of virtual broadband medium. We do trust it has big sense and potential in current time, when broadband is approaching to life reality, and unfortunatelly, no other experimental medium for broadband exists. Our mission is to create this medium, so it can bring new digital reality for everyone.