Acronym of the Case: RAIN

Rural Area Information Technology Broadband Network

Acronym of the case: RAIN Web address of the case: http://www.rain.lt/ Country of the case: Lithuania City/region: All rural areas of Lithuania Case Abstract The purpose of the Rural Area Information Technology Broadband Network (RAIN) is to improve, in essence, the possibilities for the inhabitants of rural areas to use information technology and the information resources provided by such information technology for the purpose of the improvement of their life. The project schedules the building of fibre-optics based broadband network channels to all local administrations in the territories of rural local administration centres that do not have broadband connectivity. The total length of such channels will amount to 3 200 kilometers.

Description of the case

Case domain eInclusion

Topic Broadband

Sector Communication (infrastructure)

Start date - End date September 2005 To February 2008

Date operational September 2005

Target Users or Group Other

Target Group Other: people with peer access to infrastructure, People in remote areas

Broadband infrastructure is built for open public usage, so there is no need for user division to separate specific groups. Project’s targeted group – users in rural areas. They will: accumulate greater funds of knowledge; take a more active part in public life; get more successful results in developing competitive activities; improve their situation in the areas of social security, health protection, cultural life, public administration.

Scope National Status Implementation

Policy Context and Legal Framework The project support: i2010; Communication form the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Bridging the Broadband Gap” {SEC(2006) 354} {SEC(2006) 355}, COM/2006/129, 2006 03 20; Community strategic guidelines for rural development (programming period 2007 to 2013), (2006/144/EC 2006 02 20; Lithuania Broadband infrastructure development strategy for 2005-2010 period. Lithuania Government Decree Nr.1231, 2005 11 01.

Local region administrations are involved in preparation and implementation of the project. Fibre-optical lines and locations of network nodes are adjusted with the local authorities. While preparing their regional development strategies the possibilities of the project RAIN are considered.

Project Size and Implementation

Type of initiative IT infrastructures and products

Overall Implementation approach Partnerships between administration and/or private sector and/or non-profit sector

Technology choice Mainly (or only) open standards

Funding source Public funding EU, Public funding national

Project size Implementation: Larger than €10,000,000 Yearly cost: €500-999,000 Implementation and Management Approach Four partners are involved in project implementation: Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania, public company “Placiajuostis internetas”. The supervisory committee, involving members of all partners and other concerned ministries was found for decision- making in project implementation.

Technology solution The chosen technology for infrastructure building is fiber-optics. This technology assures longevity of the network for at least 20 years. World’s technological open standards play a significant role in selection of technological aspects of implementation and equipment. Impact, innovation and results Impact The fiber-optical infrastructure will connect all local administrations in the territories of rural local administration centers to appropriate municipalities forming 51 separate non-interconnected networks. The capacity of fiber-optical lines will ensure the planned demand of data transmission services for a period of at least 20 years. All technical characteristics of the cable and equipment corresponds to most modern technical standards.

It is planned that the completion of the RAIN project and the resulting substantial improvement of the possibilities for the inhabitants of rural areas to use internet connectivity will create considerably more favorable conditions for economic and cultural activities, the development of alternative activities and partnership, as well as education, learning, prequalification, reception and provision of services, communication with self-governance and public bodies.

The main innovations are based on the technological aspect of project implementation. The most modern fibre-optical infrastructure is built providing unlimited transmission capacity and technological neutrality for access.

Track record of sharing The RAIN project was included into the 2005 Golden Book of the World Summit on the Information Society. The project was also chosen for the exhibit Bridging the Broadband Gap 2007.

The project encourages private operators to make investments to the last mile infrastructure in rural areas.

Cooperation during project implementation: 51 municipalities and rural elderates; The Ministry of Culture (interconnection of Libraries); The Ministry of Education and Science (interconnection of Schools); The Ministry of Interior (interconnection of Internet Access Points); The Ministry of National Defense; The Ministry of Agriculture; SC “Lietuvos energija”; TEO LT, SC; SC “Rytų skirstomieji tinklai”; JSC “Skaidula”; Public Company “Infostruktura”; Lithuanian Road Administration; SC Lithuanian Radio and Television Centre; JSC “Omnitel”; JSC “Bite”; Other organizations.

Lessons learnt Lesson 1 - As the feasibility study of the project was prepared a few years before the start of implementation, planned prices of labor and oil have increased dramatically over the period. There was a lack of finance resources in the period of project implementation. Additional funding was done by the Republic of Lithuania.

Lesson 2 - Project’s feasibility study analyzes various technological and longevity aspects of different data transmission technologies. The analysis involved solutions from wireless to fiber-optical connectivity with their specific plusses and minuses. Today it is obvious that long-term solutions like fiber-optics are to be the choice of preference.

Sursa: www.eupractice.eu