Petition to make starting a project in rural areas of central Portugal easier via internet access

English version:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/ANACOM_PT_OPTIMUS_VODAFONECCDRC_CM_Gois_DECO_ADXTURADIBER_Pedido_de_acesso_eficiente_a_Internet_nas_aldeias_do_interior_/?copy

Portuguese version:

https://secure.avaaz.org/po/petition/ANACOM_PT_OPTIMUS_VODAFONECCDRC_CM_Gois_DECO_ADXTURADIBER_Pedido_de_acesso_eficiente_a_Internet_nas_aldeias_do_interior_/?copy

Not only intended to help local people, lack of internet access is a barrier to outsiders coming in to start new projects in Permaculture, Homesteading, Self-Sufficiency, etc.

Initially, we focussed on Portuguese nationals in signing the petition, now we are hoping to boost the numbers with support from the international community. Might be a way forward for others in the same circumstance

Thanks!

Signed!

Thanks for sharing that. I'm lucky as although I'm rural I have pretty good internet most days. I know that many villages more 'out in the sticks' are incredibly isolated and it would make it much easier to repopulate the interior if they could actually receive a decent level of internet service.

Done, and a bump ! Big AL

Thanks! We appreciate yr signatures

When it comes to rural internet access on the Iberian Peninsula, these guys are definitely the ones to talk to:
https://guifi.net/

It´s a community run mesh network (node to node) and with the wireless equipment you can get these days setting up a so called "air-fiber" is not as expensive anymore.
It will still need an end point connected to the internet, but this is a great community building tool. It is especially well developed in Catalunya, but in theory it can be used anywhere.

I know the people in the core do travel around and advice on setting up community infrastructure. And the best thing about it is that it´s community owned.

Thanks, Chris! That looks very interesting. We are certainly looking into options to take matters into our own hands, besides the petition, so this is a welcome perspective