The work on the construction of a bit stream access to the Internet in the Świętokrzyski region started in 2002 by an initiative group initially composed of: Świętokrzyski University of Technology, Świętokrzyskie Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre and the Research and Academic Computer Network – NASK. Representatives of self-government entities from the province soon joined the group creating the first “consortium” preparing the foundations of the project. The work was also attended, among others, by representatives of the Świętokrzyskie Province Office, Speaker’s Office, Kielce Municipality, County Sub prefecture, Świętokrzyskie Oncology Centre, the Police and representatives of self-government bodies of various levels.

The „e-świętokrzyskie” project emerged in effect of a concerted action. It is composed of three complementary parts. The first of them, whose beneficiary is the Świętokrzyskie Province Speaker’s Office, bears the name “e-świętokrzyskie – construction of computer science infrastructure”. The second is “e-świętokrzyskie – extension of the Municipal Computer Network KIELMAN for the needs of integration with the municipal optical wave-guide networks” whose beneficiary is Świętokrzyski University of Technology. NASK is the beneficiary of the third project known as “e-świętokrzyskie – radio network construction”.

The projects have been qualified for implementation within the Integrated Regional Development Operational Programme in December 2004 by force of the Resolution of Świętokrzyskie Province Board.

The sum of money (ca EUR 2,5 million) earmarked for the construction of information society in Świętokrzyskie Province caused that it was impossible to implement the “e-świętokrzyskie programme in full and the “e-świętokrzyskie – radio network construction” covering the entire province. The project, within which NASK installs base stations in six towns in the province (in Kielce, Końskie, Jędrzejów, Grzybów, Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski and Sandomierz), ensuring access to the Internet on 64 percent of the province’s territory, is nearing completion. Especially important for the inhabitants of the province is the fact that within the range of operation of the radio network built by NASK, there are less urbanised regions often inaccessible for the infrastructure of other operators.

The project ensures adequate quality connection to the Internet and, which is most important – for a reasonable price. It is an investment into the future, in the young people and children for whom access to the Internet is a pass to a better life, to knowledge, it allows to function in today’s information society. The access to the Internet is an absolute necessity for firms. It enables much cheaper purchases, sale of own products and acquisition of new orders. It facilitates the operation on the increasingly competitive market. Also efficiently functioning administration or effective education, require access to the Internet. The “e-świętokrzyskie” project is devised to ensure this. Thanks to the application of radio technique, the access to the network will be possible for the inhabitants of those parts of the province where the Internet is not yet available. Owing to the European Union funds, the prices of services will be competitive.

Kielce is the sixth province principal city (after Warsaw, Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków and Poznań, in which NASK has applied wireless technology for the development of telecommunications services.

The radio base station in Kielce is yet another NASK station in the Świętokrzyskie Province. In keeping with the project’s provisions, all the stations will be commissioned by the end of the year – provided the weather would permit to carry out installation works on high-rise objects.