Wireless Mesh Networks: Africa etc.

"...Informal plans to use emerging wireless mesh technology to create cheap, robust connections in remote areas that do not have an established telecoms infrastructure. Each device on a mesh network receives and transmits its own traffic, while acting as a router for other devices; intelligence in each device allows it to automatically configure an efficient network, and to adjust if, for example, a node becomes overloaded or unavailable. The advantages include ease of set-up, the ability to spread wireless access over a wide area from a single central wired connection, and the inherent toughness of such networks..." ZDnet UK.The intention here "...is the development of a blueprint for a low-cost, wireless, rugged computing device which Informal will encourage the NGOs to develop and build. The so-called Autonokit will essentially be a low-cost computer that can work on non-standard power sources such as solar, wind, micro-hydro or even bicycle power..." This is effort follows up on an article by Kofi Annan where he "...spelled out the potential benefits that wireless and other technologies could bring to the developing world..." he went on to say that "We need to think of ways to bring wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) applications to the developing world, so as to make use of unlicensed radio spectrum to deliver cheap and fast Internet access,". The Adoption of infrastructure that is not reliant on centralized institutions will have a disproportionate positive impact particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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