About the Speaker

Mahabir Pun is the Team Leader of Nepal Wireless Networking Project. He has worked in Nepal for the last 16 years creating a wireless network in the remote difficult terain of Himalayan foothills in western Nepal, which has now connected more than 20,000 people in 12 villages.

Tired of traveling for two days every time he wanted to check his email, Mahabir had the idea of using the new 802.11b wireless technology to connect his village. The longest hop is 34 km from the city with the nearest broadband. Using satellite TV antennas and parabolic grid antennas, he and a growing team of volunteers created a point-to-point network that spans 50 km, powered by solar and hydroelectric power, and giving telecommunications to 20,000 people who formerly had to walk days to make a phone call.

Mr. Pun's talk will focus on the social aspects of his wireless network technology, the impact and benefits of his work to society, and his vision to build a wireless broadband network all over Nepal.

In 2007, Mr. Pun was awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award (Asia's version of Nobel Prize) for his work.

Nepal Wireless website: http://www.nepalwireless.net/