Basic Internet access

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Project: Basic Internet access
Free access to information on the Internet
Web: http://cwi.unik.no/wiki/Basic_Internet_access
Project leader Josef Noll
Project Participants Arild Hemstad, Jan Standal, Håkon Wium Lie, Vidar Sannerhaugen, Per Wetterdal
Start Date 2013/11/15
End Date 2014/06/30
Supported by UNIK
Objective The objective of this project is to provide free information access to everyone. The Internet came to Kjeller and to Europe back in 1973, and 40 years after we have piloted the free access to basic information.
Research Domain 5G Networks, Internet - IoPTS
Keywords Internet.org, Future Internet, free access, Emerging Economies, Innovation4all

Factpage of Project Basic Internet access

Equipment used in project: Basic Internet access/Equipment


Free Basic Internet is established at UNIK. The technological implementation was straight forward, splitting the access to "basic information" as text and pictures from access to bandwidth consuming services such as streaming and video services.

In 1973 the Internet came to Kjeller, and that was the first installation of the Internet (or Arpanet how it was called then) to Europe.

In 1993 the development of the mobile web browser started at Kjeller, leading to Opera Software.

In 2013 UNIK, Kjeller Innovasjon og Opera Software join forces to develop the free Basic Internet access to information on Wifi networks.

Internet access is a human right

The Internet has taken over as the source of information, being it general information as in Wikipedia, scientific information as in Google Scholar and Microsoft Academics or heath information through a variety of channels.

Internet human right.png

However, 2/3 of the world don't have access to Internet, according to Internet.org[1]. Internet.org is a global partnership between technology leaders, non-profits, local communities and experts who are working together to bring the Internet to the two thirds of the world’s population that don't have it.


Free access to information on the Internet

Our goal is to pilot the free access to Internet information such as Wikipedia, Facebook, Google. Our vision is that wherever you will find a WLAN network, there you will also find free, though limited, access to Internet information.

Free Internet access.png

Everyone should be able to open his browser, and get information about the place, travel opportunities, guidelines, education and health information.

We see that free access has a challenge of that someone has to pay for the infrastructure. Thus, our suggestion is that entertainment, download of large files and streaming will be services which have to be paid for.

Our technology approach

A large number of Wifi networks have already an authentication server, providing "guest" access to the Internet. Examples of this are the European Initiative for Educational Roaming Eduroam or Eduroam.no. Most hotels have such an Web-based Wifi access. Thus, by allowing the Wifi access to allow Internet information becoming available, we will provide a solution which can be adapted in the world.

Pilot implementation

We have a pilot installation at UNIK at Kjeller, continuing the success of Internet.

Our aim is to adapt our authentication server (AAA server) such that it allows access from limited browsers such as Opera Mini. Opera Mini provides access to Web information, but does not support streaming, large file download and other heavy-bandwidth services. According to Opera's Mobile Web Atlas 2012[2], a typical user has 4.3 MByte/month, while a nerd might use 17 MByte/month. These numbers indicate that the usage of a restricted Browser like Opera Mini does not harm normal Wifi networks.

Links, downloads and further reading

Listen to our vision at Our_Dream_Internet_for_everyone. Or read more about our vision at Basic Internet.Foundation and Internet.org.

Further reading on business partners

  1. Internet.org
  2. Opera Web Atlas 2012, http://www.operasoftware.com/archive/smw/2012/06/index.html

Related Meetings

Basic Internet access related Meeting(s):