With missing physical infrastructure, voice over IP (VoIP) thrives in Africa despite government opposition: It's an odd battle in which telecom monopolies occasionally use government enforcement to shut down and/or imprison those running VoIP services, whether for their own purposes or as a telecom operation. Still, Wi-Fi makes VoIP more practical by bypassing missing copper infrastructure to create the network over which VoIP runs.
Glenn,
This post triggered a couple of telephone conversations based on my work with VoIP and some work with telecom infrastructure in developing countries. It led me to post an excerpt from my book on my blog site. Just wanted to let you know since you were a catalyst. -- Ken
I've been deploying wireless infrastructure in Africa since 1989 and have recently started working with "wi-fi" (Wi-Lan VIP and W-OFDM) for small field networks used to remotly control prototype machines for removing landmines (teleoperated working towards autonomy). The advantage is a machine with control, video, sensor, and feedback data all over a single link. Our end game is to further develop this into a field OPSnet including VoIP to Radio net gateways, and "PDA" based Workflow solutions for all operational requirements. Recent trends are all good to me... The Seattle Wi-Fi field day has a LOT of application for REAL world solutions which may be difficult to see from the nearest sidewalk coffee shop but real evident and obvious to us in these parts (Namibia/Angola). Wireless hacking is cool!