Project name: ZittNet
Country: Nigeria
Vision; To reduce the current state of information inequality that exists between our rural communities and the rest of the world, by developing the capacity to provide affordable and reliable wireless internet access, efficiently, first to our host community and rest of Nigeria

Personnel:
Project leader: Ochuko Onoberhie
Social Researcher: T.Y Shinggu
Technical: Bidi Bala
Business: Victor Adamu

Coordination centre or main site:
GPS coordinates:09°35'01"N 08°18'21"E
ZittNet is Fantsuam Foundation’s community wireless network, serving clients in the Kafanchan area. Fantsuam Foundation is a rural-based non-governmental organization, located in Bayan Loco, Kafanchan Kaduna state, that works with local communities to fight poverty and disadvantage through integrated development programs.

Main towns:
Kafanchan is 2.5 hours south of the state capital kaduna, one hour west of Jos and about 2 hours north east of Abuja.

Locations (district and province level): The Federal Republic of Nigeria is comprised of 36 states, Kaduna State is in the North West zone, approximately 2 hours from Abuja (the capital of Nigeria), and is made up of 23 local government areas with a population of about 5 million people. Kafanchan is the local government headquarters of Jema’a local government in Kaduna State.

Main activities:
ZittNet business includes the installation and sale or rental of communication radios, Web design, Networking, Hardware Maintenance, sales of Networking Devices and Wireless Training. ISP services includes provision of wireless internet access to clients, provision of local mail services, web and file caching, VoIP gateway, bandwidth shaper and spam/antivirus filter.

Project ownership: Fantsuam Foundation

Funding sources: Client subscriptions, Contracts and Donors

Broad description of income generation:
Services and products will be able to pay for both operational and expansionary costs and any other contingencies.
Income streams expected include: internet access, VOIP bills, configuration of the clients radio and installation, after sale services, sale or rental of equipments, Web design, Hosting, Management and Training, Networking, Software Development, Hardware Maintenance, sales of Networking Devices and Wireless Training.

Technology:
Backbone:
VSAT C-band, IDirect Modem, 1024kbps down by 128kbps up, shared
Provider: ISDN Global
Cost: $870 monthly

Backhaul:
Mikrotik Router 3.3 with Two 120degree 22Dbi 2.4 GHz Sectoral antennae,
Smartbridge Airpoint with 19Dbi Omni antenna

Distribution:
Wireless WiFi 802.11a/b/g, 2.4 GHz unlicensed spectrum
The client units connect to the Fantsuam infrastructure using 2.4 GHz. Planned expansion of the system entails the use of microwave links between tower sites at 5.8 GHz. Neither of these frequencies requires a license to operate.

Telecommunications regulation:
We have now obtained a license to operate an ISP as an educational institution since the regulator does not have a separate category of license for civil society entities.

Relationships:
Relationship with local government: we do not currently have a relationship with the local government, but we have approached them and marketed our services.

Relationship with government departments: the relevant government departments are aware of our activities and we maintain a cordial relationship.

Relationship with telecom regulator: we have over the past couple of months been able to forge a very cordial relationship with the regulator. the regulator likes the ZittNet philosophy and mission and has issued a grant for the replication of ZittNet in a neighbouring community.

Relationship with telecom providers: ZittNet has not had any relationship with telecom providers so far, though the Fantsuam Foundation has before. we will try to leverage on that.

Future expansion plans:
Adding a new backhaul client to any of the two sectors SECT1 and SECT2 (with QoS) and adding new clients to OMNI by means of standard IEEE 802.11 outdoor clients (no QoS).
We also plan to put up one wireless repeater on the highest peak nearby to reach a towns within a 50km radius.