Project for Tusheti Community Internet network, Georgia

CN of Tusheti

Tusheti is a remote northeastern region of Georgia located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. It is reachable from the mainland by the only unpaved road which is crossing 2850 m Abano Pass. The population of Tusheti is physically isolated from the rest of Georgia when the roads are closed due to deep snow. Therefore the community Internet network was built with objective to establish permanent connectivity for this remote community and remove existing broadband gap. The project was implemented by constricting local high-speed fixed wireless network with backbone and access systems’ installed at remote, rigid location at elevations reaching 3500 meters above sea level. Affordable high speed wireless Internet service is now available in more than 33 villages and the top Abano pass for locals and 14,000 tourists visiting Tusheti every year. The project opens new development avenues for tourism and preservation of unique local culture, provides essential communication channel in case of healthcare and other emergencies, supports economic sustainability of the region and creates opportunities for local community to establish business contacts, offer and sell local products and services. Through Internet connection, population can have access to online resources, use educational, E-heath and E-government services, access job markets. The project was implemented by local community with funding from the Internet Society (ISOC). Project became successful example of private – public partnerships with essential support provided by local and central governments of Georgia, local telecom regulator, telecom operators association, private businesses and other major international donor that funded customer premises equipment and training for local users on Internet usage and e-business skills.

https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2017/tusheti-case-study/

Local implementation: Georgia, Tusheti, Kakheti region

Completed from 01/01/2017 to 26/08/2017

Internet Society (ISOC) ISOC Georgian Chapter “Small and medium sized Telecom Operators Association of Georgia” LTD “Free Net”, Non-Governmental Organization “Tusheti Development Fund” and technical experts Girogi Kirvalidze and Konstantin Stalinski

* Information and communication infrastructure

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