Freedom to explore
A Lawrence-based non-profit goes high-tech,offering subsidized Internet service
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By Rory Flynn, Jayplay writer
Soon after Jeremy Jacobs' late night bartending shift ends, he realizes he has forgotten to check his e-mail for a group project due the next day. Furious, he drives around campus, hoping to find a computer lab with Internet access. He is too late. All of the labs on campus are closed, destroying his hopes of meeting his deadline.
Jacobs, Chicago senior, is one of many students who chooses not to pay for the cost of high-speed Internet service in his home. "When I have other essential bills I have no pay, an expensive Internet bill just doesn't take precedence," Jacobs says.
As early as January 2006, many Lawrence residents, such as Jacobs, will be able to receive free Internet access in their homes and workplaces because of efforts by a non-profit organization called Lawrence Freenet.
Residents with children who make
less than $1,457 per
less than $140 per month will qualify for free high-speed service, equipment and installation. But the free high-speed Internet service is not strictly for lower-income households. Residents who don't qualify as lower-income can pay a one-time $150 equipment
and installation fee for the service. After that fee is paid, then the high-speed service will be available free in their homes or businesses.
Joshua Montgomery, Lawrence Freenet founder and full-time aerospace engineer, says he hopes to his service will help students. He says he understands that because college students struggle with loans and other financial burdens, Internet is something that many cannot afford to have at home.
"It is important for Lawrence Freeman to serve KU students and make them lives easier with free Internet service," Montgomery says.
The focus of Lawrence Freenet, founded in April 2005, is to help lower income adults become well being Separated by a digital divide in this Internet-dependant, technological world. Along with free Internet access, Lawrence Freenet gives away used computers that volunteers have made Internet ready to lower income residents.
The project needs about 925,000 in order for the estimated January 2006
start of the free Internet service. Lawrence Freenet accepts donations of all amounts but asks for a $75 donation from future users who can afford Internet service in order to secure the first installations and pay for the required equipment at the same price Lawrence
Freenet pays
The project will require residents seeking the free service to have an access node installed on their home or
business. Also, Lawrence Freenet plans to install a series of "backbone nodes throughout Lawrence that will enable a signal three-eighths of a mile in every direction, giving access to the nodes installed on homes and businesses. These nodes create a web-like, wireless Internet signal which will hover throughout the city. Once five "backbone nodes" are installed, the project will be self-sufficient, says Montgomery.
Jayplay 11.17.05
The Lawrence Freenet team consists of about 12 volunteers who are working to get the project underway. Some of the Volunteers are high school and junior high school students that possess, in Montgomery's words, "isstious technological skills". Another goal for Lawrence Freenet is to provide agents with the ability to work on constructive activities to better the community.
One of these teens is 14-year-old Sean Gardner from Southwest Junior High. He works as the graphic designer for Lawrence Freenet.
He heard about Lawrence Reenet at school and e-mailed Montgomery, expressing interest in helping the organization.
The concept of a free Internet service for all Lawrence residents might not appeal to all of the Lawrence community. Some dissenters argue that as more Lawrence residents begin to use Lawrence Freenet as their Internet provider, companies such as Sunflower Broadband, which currently provides Internet service to half of the Lawrence community, might lose customers.
Sunflower Broadband provides 50
Photo below: An access-point, which will be used by Lawrence Lennet to provide free high-speed internet service. Photo courtesy: Lawrence Freenet
percent of Lawrence residents with high-speed Internet service and 80 percent of Lawrence residents with cable television service. It charges $44.95 per month-plus tax for high-speed Internet service.
Patrick Knorr, general manager at Sunflower Broadband, says he does not see Lawrence Freenet as a threat to Sunflower.
"I think that providing lower-income households with free Internet is a noble concept, but I think there are many concerns that Lawrence Freenet will face, like the inability to provide adequate customer service and other business and technical concerns," Knorr says. He also says the idea of providing Lawrence with Free Internet service is not a new concept; Sunflower Broadband provides free Internet use at 20 free "hotspots" in town.
Montgomery is planning a fundraiser for Lawrence Freenet on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event will include computer video games and pizza. The location of the event has yet to be determined. Those interested in attending can contact Montgomery at contact@lawrencefreenet.org.
But Montgomery sees a need.
"It's important for Lawrence Freenet to serve KU students and make their lives easier with free internet service"
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