I may be working on a project to map the ICT infrastructure in Liberia this fall. Some of my friends and family were asking a bit about Liberia. It has quite the storied past and is now trying to work its way out of a 14 year civil war that pretty much devastated all aspects of the country. The following is a bit of info that I dug up due to our discussion:
I caught a recent article on electricity in the capital of Liberia: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/liberia_electricity_dc
Also a bit of background if you are interested... https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/li.html
And for Pammy (who asked if we were to evenly redistribute the income in the world to each man, woman and child, what would the averarge income be?), the world currently has an estimated 6,530,757,077 people (http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html). In 2004, the world GPD (Gross Domestic Product) was estimated at $51,410,000,000,000 (http://www.photius.com/rankings/economy/gdp_2004_0.html) leading me to believe that an average per capita for each person in the world would be about $7,871.98.
So, on average, a family of 4 would bring in $31,487/year...of course this is all based on GDP which is not necessarily the full picture regarding income, but since I'm no economist I use it here as an approximate proxy.
What is interesting is about 1/5 of the world's population lives on less than $1/day (considered extreme poverty) -- about 1.1 billion people (http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/6 and http://devdata.worldbank.org/wdi2005/Section1_1_1.htm). Good news is, they estimate this number will be down to around 858 million by 2015...
If we take the 1/5 of the population out of the the equation (and their $1/day), the remaining 4/5 take in about $9,748.73 -- about $26.71 per day per person...
Hope this clears up all of your questions for the day!
Kipp
Thursday, July 27, 2006
One MegaBit Per Child/Community
It appears that the One Laptop Per Child (aka $100 laptop) continues to push forward. I think it is a great idea and the effort is likely to push the limits of technology and costs to a point where it will at least become more accessible.
However I tend to agree with the comments on ZDNet (http://comment.zdnet.co.uk/other/0,39020682,39257951,00.htm) regrading the fact that it's not necessarily the best place to start. I'm starting to get a better understanding of the dynamics, and adding a hand crank to a laptop will not solve the issues for everybody who wants a laptop. As the author notes, "one power socket per village and one megabit per community are much surer foundations for building a future."
Infrastructure is stil a critical issue in making these devices useful, and while the FAQ on OLPC (http://www.laptop.org/faq.en_US.html) declares:
What about connectivity? Aren't telecommunications services expensive in the developing world?
When these machines pop out of the box, they will make a mesh network of their own, peer-to-peer. This is something initially developed at MIT and the Media Lab. We are also exploring ways to connect them to the backbone of the Internet at very low cost.
Good thought, and I think mesh networks will play an important role -- necessary but insufficient. These islands of mesh-pods still need to make it to the outside world. and while local networks without international connectivity can have some interesting applications, I don't think it is sufficient to have only local access without full Internet connectivity.
Concurrent with the deployment of devices, we need deployment of network infrastructure and power. How far can wireless mesh networks take the developing world? Is the premise that we need power and network infrastructure true? What density of deployment is needed for the mesh network to become fully connected? Is it even feasible and what happens to people until it does happen?
I think there's a lot more work to do than relying on the fact that mesh-networking between the laptops will solve it...
Kipp
However I tend to agree with the comments on ZDNet (http://comment.zdnet.co.uk/other/0,39020682,39257951,00.htm) regrading the fact that it's not necessarily the best place to start. I'm starting to get a better understanding of the dynamics, and adding a hand crank to a laptop will not solve the issues for everybody who wants a laptop. As the author notes, "one power socket per village and one megabit per community are much surer foundations for building a future."
Infrastructure is stil a critical issue in making these devices useful, and while the FAQ on OLPC (http://www.laptop.org/faq.en_US.html) declares:
What about connectivity? Aren't telecommunications services expensive in the developing world?
When these machines pop out of the box, they will make a mesh network of their own, peer-to-peer. This is something initially developed at MIT and the Media Lab. We are also exploring ways to connect them to the backbone of the Internet at very low cost.
Good thought, and I think mesh networks will play an important role -- necessary but insufficient. These islands of mesh-pods still need to make it to the outside world. and while local networks without international connectivity can have some interesting applications, I don't think it is sufficient to have only local access without full Internet connectivity.
Concurrent with the deployment of devices, we need deployment of network infrastructure and power. How far can wireless mesh networks take the developing world? Is the premise that we need power and network infrastructure true? What density of deployment is needed for the mesh network to become fully connected? Is it even feasible and what happens to people until it does happen?
I think there's a lot more work to do than relying on the fact that mesh-networking between the laptops will solve it...
Kipp
Monday, July 17, 2006
FON_ wifi
I'm wondering if this is the proper configuration for a network -- I'm pretty sure the interference is better if you stack all 3 routers together, right?
So I received my $5 (actually something like $13) Linksys router from FON today (it's the one on top with the cool sticker). It's a standard Linksys WRT54GS router with the special FON firmware pre-installed.
Just a couple of details from my 15 minutes of installation:
- SSID: FON_linksys
- Channel: 6
The router was shipped from FON US INC, 1001 Technology Way, LIbertyvill, IL 60048.
I have earned nothing as yet, but I'll be watching closely. I also found out you can change your splash screen, even sending incoming users to a different web site.
I also updated my SSID, but it hasn't updated my router just yet...We should be able to see how many FON routers are out there, it appears that you can't change the FON_ prefix on the SSID...in fact, it appears that we only have 34 FON APs in our database right now. There are several other self named fon aps, these are likely named by somebody who downloaded and installed the firmware on their own box, but that's just a guess.
Right now, we are showing .0003% of the access points are FON, however the frequency of them is beginning to increase.
I'll keep playing with it and see what it looks like as somebody else..
UPDATE: Using the wife's computer, I connected to the FON network (after I rebooted the router, it now shows up as FON_kippster). The modified splash screen shows up whereby I can navigate to the one URL that I was able to specify in the FON interface. This provides some information to a user, even if they don't have/want a FON account. I had given my wife a guest account, so using that infromation, I logged in and was able to surf enough to verify that it really does work.
I was unable to view any other network resources once connected to the FON network, which is a good thing!
So I received my $5 (actually something like $13) Linksys router from FON today (it's the one on top with the cool sticker). It's a standard Linksys WRT54GS router with the special FON firmware pre-installed.
Just a couple of details from my 15 minutes of installation:
- SSID: FON_linksys
- Channel: 6
The router was shipped from FON US INC, 1001 Technology Way, LIbertyvill, IL 60048.
I have earned nothing as yet, but I'll be watching closely. I also found out you can change your splash screen, even sending incoming users to a different web site.
I also updated my SSID, but it hasn't updated my router just yet...We should be able to see how many FON routers are out there, it appears that you can't change the FON_ prefix on the SSID...in fact, it appears that we only have 34 FON APs in our database right now. There are several other self named fon aps, these are likely named by somebody who downloaded and installed the firmware on their own box, but that's just a guess.
Right now, we are showing .0003% of the access points are FON, however the frequency of them is beginning to increase.
I'll keep playing with it and see what it looks like as somebody else..
UPDATE: Using the wife's computer, I connected to the FON network (after I rebooted the router, it now shows up as FON_kippster). The modified splash screen shows up whereby I can navigate to the one URL that I was able to specify in the FON interface. This provides some information to a user, even if they don't have/want a FON account. I had given my wife a guest account, so using that infromation, I logged in and was able to surf enough to verify that it really does work.
I was unable to view any other network resources once connected to the FON network, which is a good thing!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Atlanta Wifi
Atlanta recently published their RFP for a metro-scale broadband wireless network.
This is a very extensive RFP and I'm eagerly watching what and who comes out to respond.
In the meantime, this is a look at the existing wifi infrastructure in Atlanta. This image shows the over 100,000 public/private wifi access points that exist (and are mapped) in the ATL region.
As part of my WhatWhereWi project, I'm exploring how this infastructure is evolving.
Kipp
This is a very extensive RFP and I'm eagerly watching what and who comes out to respond.
In the meantime, this is a look at the existing wifi infrastructure in Atlanta. This image shows the over 100,000 public/private wifi access points that exist (and are mapped) in the ATL region.
As part of my WhatWhereWi project, I'm exploring how this infastructure is evolving.
Kipp
Last resort
In the vein of competition and changing landscape for networks, I caught an article in the AJC this morning (http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/0711bizbellsouth.html) that discusses how BellSouth is attempting to get out of its obligations as 'provider of last resort'.
According to the article, the encumbent provider currently has a responsibility to provide service to any one who wants it regardless of the economic viability of said service. This, I believe, is intended to ensure universal coverage and not 'cherry picking' service to the wealthy. But with the increase in competition for these 'cherries' BellSouth is finding it may not have the advantages it once enjoyed and now has to deal with other companies that may not have the last resort encumberance.
BellSouth is particularly fighting as new developments (apartments, planned cities, 'hoods, etc.) are at the forefront of the battle for new subscribers and developers are negotiating up front deals for their developments. If BellSouth doesn't become the prefered provider, it is arguing that it shouldn't have the last resort requirement in that area.
It appears that their first line of attack has been to throw a bit of FUD directly at the developers, as the article notes regarding one letter sent out by BellSouth: "Please be aware that the presence of these types of arrangements with alternate communications providers or infrastructure providers may affect BellSouth's provision of service."
Apparently a law in Florida (supported by BellSouth) passed this year that provides an out for the encumbent in certain circumstances. I'd bet we'll see more of these bills being introduced around the states in the near future...
Kipp
According to the article, the encumbent provider currently has a responsibility to provide service to any one who wants it regardless of the economic viability of said service. This, I believe, is intended to ensure universal coverage and not 'cherry picking' service to the wealthy. But with the increase in competition for these 'cherries' BellSouth is finding it may not have the advantages it once enjoyed and now has to deal with other companies that may not have the last resort encumberance.
BellSouth is particularly fighting as new developments (apartments, planned cities, 'hoods, etc.) are at the forefront of the battle for new subscribers and developers are negotiating up front deals for their developments. If BellSouth doesn't become the prefered provider, it is arguing that it shouldn't have the last resort requirement in that area.
It appears that their first line of attack has been to throw a bit of FUD directly at the developers, as the article notes regarding one letter sent out by BellSouth: "Please be aware that the presence of these types of arrangements with alternate communications providers or infrastructure providers may affect BellSouth's provision of service."
Apparently a law in Florida (supported by BellSouth) passed this year that provides an out for the encumbent in certain circumstances. I'd bet we'll see more of these bills being introduced around the states in the near future...
Kipp
Monday, July 10, 2006
FON vs Phone
I've been continuing to analyze the skyhook data, looking at the existing US wifi infrastructure to see what else could be done with it, what problems it represents, how it could be better, what issues might it represent (security, privacy, etc.) and how we could use the technology to reach ever more people.
One company that is utilizing this infrastructure is FON (www.fon.com), a Spanish company that has set out to change the way our existing (and growing) wifi networks provide access by building a community that shares their wifi connections. They now state that they have over 68,000 'foneros' -- people who have enabled their wifi routers (either upgraded their firmware or purchased a fon router). 68,000, not a bad start, but definitely on the right track.
Now, there are issues with their plan, but it could work. In fact this was something that was contemplated by a colleague of mine several years ago, but we couldn't see a way to get past the ISPs in the US -- It looks like it was easier to start in Europe and move into the US than to start here -- that or they just have bigger Euros than we did...
But clearly there is a lot of infrastructure that is being underutliized -- I think of this similar to the SETI@Home effort -- how to put to use all of those wasted bandwidths, only in this case the idea is if you give a little, you get a little, rather than just for the sake of finding errant signals in the sky. Hmm...I guess it is more similar than I thought, as both are looking for particular signals...okay that may be a stretch....
Nonetheless, I find it interesting to think about the various wifi networks that we are building -- home, shared, municipal, community, business, region, public transport, airport, etc. and how all of these are related and/or different. If we were going to do it from scratch, is this really the way we would do it? Is there a better way? What would it look like? And where should we (personal, community, metro, international) be investing to provide better access to everybody?
Getting back to FON, should this mode of operation be promoted or controlled? Currently, it is likely against all ISP providers' rules to actually join FON and open your DSL or other broadband connection to 'outsiders'. Most agreements forbid such behavior (remember when they specified a single computer -- and even what type of computer could be connected to the network?!? My first cable modem provider (Cablevision) had some silly notion along those lines back in '98).
How should metro-scale wifi networks be regulated, promoted, stopped, changed, directed? What is going to happen with our spectrum and how do these millions of APs affect each other. At what density do they detract from service? How do we know if an area is ready for metro-scale wifi networks? What applications will drive adoption? How does wifi help those who can't afford a computer? How does WiMAX play with wifi? How does/should the wifi/cellular relationship play out?
And that's just a couple of questions that are bouncing around. Maybe I'll continue this with a bit more on the technical side next...
Kipp
One company that is utilizing this infrastructure is FON (www.fon.com), a Spanish company that has set out to change the way our existing (and growing) wifi networks provide access by building a community that shares their wifi connections. They now state that they have over 68,000 'foneros' -- people who have enabled their wifi routers (either upgraded their firmware or purchased a fon router). 68,000, not a bad start, but definitely on the right track.
Now, there are issues with their plan, but it could work. In fact this was something that was contemplated by a colleague of mine several years ago, but we couldn't see a way to get past the ISPs in the US -- It looks like it was easier to start in Europe and move into the US than to start here -- that or they just have bigger Euros than we did...
But clearly there is a lot of infrastructure that is being underutliized -- I think of this similar to the SETI@Home effort -- how to put to use all of those wasted bandwidths, only in this case the idea is if you give a little, you get a little, rather than just for the sake of finding errant signals in the sky. Hmm...I guess it is more similar than I thought, as both are looking for particular signals...okay that may be a stretch....
Nonetheless, I find it interesting to think about the various wifi networks that we are building -- home, shared, municipal, community, business, region, public transport, airport, etc. and how all of these are related and/or different. If we were going to do it from scratch, is this really the way we would do it? Is there a better way? What would it look like? And where should we (personal, community, metro, international) be investing to provide better access to everybody?
Getting back to FON, should this mode of operation be promoted or controlled? Currently, it is likely against all ISP providers' rules to actually join FON and open your DSL or other broadband connection to 'outsiders'. Most agreements forbid such behavior (remember when they specified a single computer -- and even what type of computer could be connected to the network?!? My first cable modem provider (Cablevision) had some silly notion along those lines back in '98).
How should metro-scale wifi networks be regulated, promoted, stopped, changed, directed? What is going to happen with our spectrum and how do these millions of APs affect each other. At what density do they detract from service? How do we know if an area is ready for metro-scale wifi networks? What applications will drive adoption? How does wifi help those who can't afford a computer? How does WiMAX play with wifi? How does/should the wifi/cellular relationship play out?
And that's just a couple of questions that are bouncing around. Maybe I'll continue this with a bit more on the technical side next...
Kipp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
