Non For Profit Wireless Mesh Based Internet Provider

J

jamieb

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2004
Messages
228
Reaction score
0
Hi Everyone

I'm sure this has been thought of before, but its worthwhile discussing considering the high cost of bandwidth in South Africa.

We setup a non-for-profit entity and promote the construction of a country-wide wireless mesh network.

Users of the mesh network who provide Internet connectivity receive income to pay for the costs of their bandwidth. Users who join the network without an Internet connection, have to pay an at cost monthly fee to utilize the shared bandwidth. The prices are set such that just enough users are incentivised to provide an Internet connection.

Your thoughts?

Jamie
 
If it is a practical possibility after 1st Feb then I think it's a great idea, I suspect that John is doing something like this already- from the posts of his that I've seen- altho I suppose it isn't non-profit.
 
And ic no, I am afraid that from 1 Feb any form of Wi-fi data over the street will not be allowed by Icasa. This whole thing will for ever be in a regulatory void. So the only hope of outwitting their confiscation arm is a mesh network. None of the WISps I think use mesh topology, they use infrastructure mode with a condensing unit.
I tried to contact www.transtel.co.za but this is seamingly impossible.
jamieb I agree with your sentiments but with people to terrified to even list their email details on www.nodedb.com I don't think we will get this thing of the ground.
 
John said:
...I am afraid that from 1 Feb any form of Wi-fi data over the street will not be allowed by Icasa. This whole thing will for ever be in a regulatory void. So the only hope of outwitting their confiscation arm is a mesh network.
Click to expand...
:eek: Ag nooit ek sê :mad:

I wonder if it is legal to taser the agents of confuscation from across a street?

Why was I under the impression that the 2nd September announcement would legalise WiFi data streams that have places to go & people to meet... This is just as crazy as VoIP having been illegal.

It seems like a pile of rubbish lying about on a street is more priveleged than a stream of bits that only want to cross to the other side.
 
SA Government

Yep, its an ongoing frustration for everyone. ICASA continues to hold back the economy by 1.5% of GDP or more by perpetuating the Telkom monopoly. :mad:
:mad:
 
Mesh networking is definitely the way to go. ICASA does not have the man power to shut down every node and it probably costs them more in legal fees to shut down a node than it would cost to set up the node again. The only thing really holding back widespread interest and adoption is the availability of cheap and reliable 24/7 bandwidth.
 
Yes, it is the chicken and problem. Which comes first www.transtel.co.za
not insisting on a 12 ,24, or whatever period contract (that's if you can get hold
of them, they ignore emails and their phone just rings) or people spending
to get a 40 node mesh going with zero internet data.
 
Hi

As far as I can remember, their is a wireless mesh network "juwag", base station in kensington and nodes throughout gauteng. No net access although setup for the purpose of gaming
 
we are also on that bandwagon

... what do you think of giving people the option whether they want to charge or not? we only intend to provide the billing service, but will supply equipment, training material, distro and firmware as required.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X