[wsfii-discuss] [AirJaldi-Summit] Cell Phone Mesh?

[Vickram Crishna]

How about using open-source software based GSM switches on PCs as 'range extenders' for areas where cell-phone coverage is weak/unavailable/uneconomical? Perhaps an appropriate addition to existing ITU resolutions/recommendations on the use of GSM (900/1800 MHz/+?) by member countries would put this into an acceptable framework. 
 
Alternatively, if the software can be ported to Symbian/ME, perhaps standalone cellphones can themselves be tweaked to act as mesh nodes. Has any work been done in this area? Do the energy requirements make this impractical?
 

Vickram
http://communicall.wordpress.com
http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com

----- Original Message ----
From: Stan. SWAN <stan.swan at gmail.com>
To: Xavier Leonard <X.L at headsonfire.org>; Summit at lists.airjaldi.com
Sent: Saturday, 5 April, 2008 5:52:41 AM
Subject: Re: [AirJaldi-Summit] Cell Phone Mesh?

Yes- often pondered when in remote regions beyond cellular coverage,
especially since most folks usually now have a cell phone in their
pocket anyway,but service providers have got things pretty well sewn
up...  Where is this intended & what ranges? Budget ? Security?

THOUGHT: As most cell phones now have inbuilt (& free) 2.4GHz
Bluetooth, how about range extension with a BT repeater/antenna? This
may be at least suitable for txt & pictures. I've managed ~½km LOS
with BT at the FP of a "wokfi" =>
www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/btscoop.jpg.

Another thought-  1.8/1.9/2.4GHz GHz cordless DECT style phones are
now pretty cheap & naturally have intercom facilities, so consider
these in conjunction with add on  DECT antenna/repeaters ?

I assume that  UHF ( ~ 470MHz) PRS type ½ duplex 2 way radios are not
suitable? These readily cover several km ( LOS ~10km) & are dirt
cheap. The lower freq is less influenced by obstacles & terrain as
well- even in heavy rain forest here in NZ we can usually manage ½-1km
OK.  Stan

On 03/04/2008, Xavier Leonard <X.L at headsonfire.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hi--
> Checking to see if anyone here can put in touch with someone working on
> creating peer-to-peer  communication between cell phones, independent of a
> cellular service provider-- maybe using the transceiver capabilities of the
> devices to deploy a mesh network for phone calls.
> If you've heard of any related work, please let me know.
>
>
> For the uninitiated, here's a link to company that's working on a commercial
> version:
> http://www.terranet.se/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=87
> --
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Xavier Leonard
>  Heads On Fire::Fab Lab
>  4305 University Ave., Suite 130
>  San Diego, CA 92105
>  ph.:619.964.6522 fx.:954.208.9573
>  X.L at headsonfire.org  http://www.headsonfire.org
>  "Fulfilling the promise of technology through community centered
>  collaborations."
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> _______________________________________________
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>  Summit at lists.airjaldi.com
> http://lists.airjaldi.com/mailman/listinfo/summit_lists.airjaldi.com
>
>


-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stan. SWAN - Educator/writer/consultant (ICT-Electronics-Sustainable Energy)
EMAIL: => stan.swan at gmail.com      & (Work)   => stan.swan at weltec.ac.nz
CELL:  (64)-021-672-958      HOME: (64)-(4)-562-7494     GST Reg: 36-921-021
POSTAL:  24 Tuatoru St,  Eastbourne-L.H.,  Wellington 5013,  NEW ZEALAND.

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