Neighbourhoods Open Network (XOB)

In an increasingly connected society, the internet needs to be a digitally open and accessible asset for all. Consequently, in conjunction with Expansió de Xarxa Oberta (eXO) and GuIfi.net, the Neighbourhoods Open Network is being launched as a pilot project facilitating access for people living in the neighbourhoods of El Congrés i els Indians, La Sagrera and Navas whose right to the internet is infringed.

Digital rights are an extension of human rights applied in the digital era. It’s difficult to imagine a day in our lives without a mobile phone or a computer connected to the internet. Yet there are still people who have difficulties accessing the most basic technologies.

The Neighbourhoods Open Network (Xarxa Oberta de Barris ) is being rolled out in the area around the Canòdrom to help people have access to a quality internet connection, ensuring network access as a universal right. Headed by Expansió de Xarxa Oberta (eXO) and Guifi·net, with the collaboration of the Canòdrom – Digital and Democratic Innovation Centre, the aim of the project is to provide internet access to families and households who do not have this right assured.

The goal of the pilot project has been to develop an open community telecommunications network based around citizen collaboration and social organisations. A tool for guaranteeing the right to internet access and digital inclusion. The initiative is aimed at families who have no internet connection at home, either because they haven’t contracted one of because they can’t pay for the one they have, because the quality of access is insufficient or because they have no computer at home, regardless of whether they have internet. In most cases, the violation of this basic right to the internet is due to financial reasons.

The following map shows households which are candidates for the XOB project. A reference has been assigned for each family to protect their anonymity, based on the last two digits of their postcode and the level of priority in each case (between 1 and 3), determined by the particular need of each household. There is also a letter to distinguish between points in the same postcode area with the same level of urgency. Households with children of school age (between 3 and 18) and adults (between 18 and 65) who need internet for work or research purposes are the cases which require help most urgently.

Xarxa oberta mapa amb els projectes candidats

 

Read more

  • In most households, fibre optic internet connections are feasible.

  • Around €10 per family per month. The more families that take part in the same neighbourhood, the lower the cost, without losing quality.

  • The project has a budget of €15,000 for two years but the real cost, taking into account the cost of work and coordination, is around €45,000, three times more.

  • When the social contract is signed with participating households, the communal network will be launched and available for use by beneficiaries in 48 hours.

  • The agreement sets out the general conditions to be met by the XOB project and participating households to guarantee the correct function and good use of the community network.