Local bandwidth should be free, but it’s not. The Free Local Bandwidth campaign www.fbc.org.za is seeking a hot shot programmer to play a key role in an activist campaign geared at mobilizing support for free local bandwidth. The successful applicant will be responsible for the engine behind the Free Local Bandwidth campaign, in terms of which ADSL users around the country will use their computers and their connection to test Telkom’s network and prove that free local bandwidth is a right and not a paid-for privilege.

Right now, every ADSL user is paying for their local bandwidth. But the local bandwidth regulation gazetted as Notice 1112 of 2006 clearly defines ‘Local Bandwidth Usage’ to mean data that can be transferred from South African based Internet Protocol addresses’. Most importantly, Notice 1112 clearly states that local bandwidth usage shall not be subject to any cap’. But ADSL users are all too well aware that when their monthly cap is reached, their internet connection is effectively switched off.

The bandwidth regulations state that “Telkom, SNO [second national operator] and ISPs shall inform subscribers, at least on a weekly basis, of their bandwidth usage until the monthly cap has been reached’. If local bandwidth is being counted as part of your monthly cap, you are being cheated out of your legal right to access local internet.”

Could you be the person who helps the Free Bandwidth Campaign to throw open the doors to accelerate social development, improved communication and more Internet for everyone? If so, get in touch with the Free Bandwidth Campaign immediately.

Knowledge of open source software, Web programming etc a must, ability to work under pressure and a passion for the Internet and bandwidth essential.