Wireless Broadband Network @ Municipality of Argyroupoli
The City of Argyroupoli, is a south suburb of the greater Athens metropolitan area. This average size municipality (~33k citizens) is completing next week its ambitious plan for creating a citywide mesh wireless broadband access network – Arnet. Arnet offers broadband connections to citizens and travellers of up to 2048/2048 symetric. The wireless network has 67 network nodes in total that covers 85-90% of the municipal land. What is worth mentioning is that according to municipal officials Arnet is financed only by municipal funds with no additional EU funding or sponsorships. In this respect, the wireless network of Argyroupolis is a first in Greece.
DSL offerings in Argyroupoli have always been very limited and available only in specific areas of the municipality. This is due to the fact that OTE has no CO in the area and residents are served from CO from neighbourhood areas making copper loops as long as 5Km. So citizens are frustrated from the lack of broadband, and honestly, tell me what do you think? If you were looking for a house in Athens would you ever consider relocating to this suburb or even more, would you start your business with minimum broadband connectivity? I think not! This was probably on of the key drivers for the municipal plans that got authorities to work.
Anyway, what the good guys in Argyroupoli prove is that in the Greek context of public policy (and people’s expectations) that fears/neglects/underestimates public initiative, municipal actions can show positive results, and local authorities intervention in broadband can bring benefits to the citizens even if it is not supported and/or planned by the central government.
You can find more about it on the network’s web site here.
I would like to know how much Arnet is charging for connectivity. I went to the Arnet website but it’s mostly in Greek and there’s no information about pricing or areas of availability in English.
I have a website called Muniwireless.com where I report about municipal wireless networks around the world.
Sincerely,
Esme Vos