People First Network

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Also known as P.F.Net or Pipol Fastaem, started by David Leeming as part of UNDP and The Solomon Islands Development Administration Planning programme in January 2001, P.F.Net was initially a series of email stations around the Solomon Islands. The network is regarded as providing an invaluable service to very remote rural areas. In particular the project was started as a means to link people to peacemakers following the civil war in the area by providing a means communications and news service.[1].

In 2004, the network was listed as one of the 5 finalists for the IPDC-UNESCO Rural Communication Prize for 2003.[2]

[edit] PFnet

The project used High frequency band wireless radio to send emails in remote rural areas without infrastructure such as roads and telephones. The project also had a permanent staff who would type and send emails for people so that they did not have to be literate in order to use the service.

[edit] Distant Learning Centre Project

The DLCP provides distance education as part of the National Integrated Rural Development Programme with the Rural Development Volunteers Association, the project began Distant Learning Centres in 2006 to provide full interenet access to rural areas, using a satellite link to Australia.

The distant learning centres use the Toshiba Tecra A5 laptops. The project provides distant learning courses for the University of the South Pacific.

The first DLC was at Pamua on Makira.