Michael Schrage wonders if ubiquitous meshing could have a social benefit: I'm sure if I understand the benefits of what he calls Li-Fi (open meshing) or Mi-Fi (Microsoft-based meshing) as opposed to a variety of wireless coverage available at various prices from zero to outrageous.
He talks about creating relays that eventually reach the Net, but the backhaul that he mentions earlier in the article is the problem. Moving data from point A through intermediate points to point I (the Internet) isn't as big a deal as moving data from A to I to another destination on the Internet.
Li-Fi or Mi-Fi both increase latency and limit bandwidth to a subset duplex of the number of meshing devices. Most devices are likely to be in dense places. Those that aren't are likely to be overwhelmed by the traffic that bottlenecks through them.
It's bandwidth and latency that need to be respectively increased and decreased, not interconnectedness on a local wireless network.
Give us bandwidth founts like streetlamps or fire hydrants. [via TechDirt]
Given the low cost of 802.11b (and hopefully soon 11g) hardware, what would it take to apply the “bandwidth founts” concept?
Seriously, within the next year I will probably upgrade my Zoom IG-4165 to something else. Then I’ll have a spare box. I don’t need it in my little bitty house; I was thinking of putting it in my mother-in-law’s shop, or donating it to one of the local coffee shops (with several hint, hints thrown in for good measure). Should I start thinking about providing a semi-private hot spot instead?
What would that take? What about security? &c.
Thanks.
As long as the vision for WiFi remains one of isolated Hot Spots it will fall short of its economic and social potential. The economic history of tele-communications and transportation shows the power of networks, and the limited value from isolated islands of activity -- contrast the Interstate Highway System with the scattered toll roads that preceded it.
Until we can have access to wireless broadband that is continuous and ubiquitous, it risks being an interesting (and useful) sidelight. Mr. Schrage presents one intriguing way to create an "island hopping" world of inter-connection. My background as a transportation economist leads me to consider other ways to "connect the dots." These approaches would also open up very large public and private markets that currently receive no value from a series of tropical islands.
Check out http://www.lanlinkup.com . We are doing this with no www access, and are using a modified version of MeshAP. There is still a low member count but we are making headway is this effort.