This presentation provides an overview of the RuralConnect Living Lab environment operated by Lancaster University, Computing Department in collaboration with rural communties, such as Wray village
1. The RuralConnect Living Lab Dr Keith MitchellLancaster University, UK k.mitchell@lancaster.ac.uk
2. RuralConnect Living Lab A Living Lab which connects rural communities Multiple Stakeholders: Lancaster University, Local Government, Education Providers, numerous SMEs, Charities, Communities Large Geographic Area, North West, UK 2 counties, 10,000 KM2, POP ~1200+ sites connected
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4. Lancaster University & RuralConnect RuralConnect, Lancaster University & 21media University, Communities & SMEs able to join consortia as appropriate Competences according to CO-LLABS Thematic Classification Media / Creativity, Rural development, Wellbeing / Health / Inclusion Seeking to participate in/contribute to: ICT Call 4 1.1: The Network of the Future 1.5: Networked Media and 3D Internet 7.2: Accessible and Assistive ICT ICT Call 5 1.1: The Network of the Future 1.4: Trustworthy ICT 1.6: Future Internet Research & Experimentation We also welcome interest in our Living Lab for CIP ICT PSP
Notes de l'éditeur
Purpose of these slides is to introduce the RuralConnect Living Lab in the NW of the UKProvide a brief overview of Lancaster University
The Lancaster Rural Connect Living Lab connects rural communities within the North West of the UK across the regions of Lancashire and Cumbria. This covers and area of 10,000 Square KMs and interconnects over 1,200 sites
RuralConnect is an initiative which aims to enable people in remote and rural areas of the North West of the UK to fully participate in the knowledge society as individuals, as communities and as professionals. Currently, technical barriers, such as poor telecom infrastructures and Internet connectivity hinder rural development and help create a digital divide.Other barriers such as lack of ICT literacy, introduction acceptance of new work methods and other cultural aspects also cause this divide. One of our key aims is to lower or remove these barriers in order to improve rural and community development effectively in collaboration with a wide range of regional bodies. Further, we aim to educate and enable communities to become self-sustainable. Rural Connect has so far targeted a number of rural communities, such as Wray Village, to enhance their access to cutting-edge digital services and technologies in order to enhance their quality of life. Ultimately, this will lead to integration into today’s (urban) societies and promote economic development.Lancaster University is a key stakeholder in this Living Lab and operates the technical networking infrastructure in collaboration with the rural communites, like Wray. Lancaster University has developed one of the leading public sector broadband networks in Europe, supporting schools, lifelong learning and a wide range of community projects. We have designed and delivered a locally owned broadband infrastructure across an area of 10,000 square kilometres, much of which is deeply rural and which had no alternative broadband capability. Over 1200 sites are now connected to the Internet at speeds of up to 1Gbps, using a range of technologies including fibre, leased-lines, wireless and more recently, ADSL. This vast regional network is an ideal test-bed or living lab for research activities and we actively encourage research and community collaboration.In 2004 we deployed a wireless mesh network into a small rural community - the village of Wray. The Wray Broadband project was setup to provide University researchers with a real, live wireless Living Lab test-bed on which to carry out performance studies of the underlying technology as well as giving the local community access to broadband services for the first time. Our experiences in operating the network for over three years in collaboration with the community has led to the development of a management framework for mesh networks. Further information about our wireless mesh network can be found here - http://tinyurl.com/meshpaper
A SME and University to STB Manufacturers.Take a University or an SME role as well as the Living Lab