Slashdot Mirror
World's Longest Wi-Fi Connection
axonis writes "The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) announced today that they have transmitted information via a broadband wireless link over a distance of 310km. They believe that this is the longest distance achieved using wireless connectivity. Alvarion (BreezeCom) is also the original consultant to Ericsson for BlueTooth technology"
Procter and Gamble has announced a giant pringles can intended for a super bowl promotion has been stolen.
I can never understand this stuff. You want to give "poor developing countries" internet access? Don't you think we should spend more time actually developing these places before we start laying in the luxuries? (Remember, the Internet is not some god given right, it's a Luxury.)
Yeah, let's build a community center in BFE for a group of people who don't have running water or electricity in their homes and the nearest hospitol is a 300M charter plane trip away.
Yeah yeah, mod me down. Before you do, realize that they're places in northern Alaska that fit this description nicely - and they have a nicer net connection than a lot of people I know.
Not to completely rag on you man, but people in developing countries would have to learn how to read before the internet would be much use to them.
"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
--Dr.W.Edwards Deming
Actually Ham radio blew away this lame 310Km distance in the 144mhz band years ago... 384,400KM times 2 (that's the distance to that funny big rock in the sky and back) sending packet data at 300 bps.
But this is not about just transmitting data this is using OFF THE SHELF 802.11 equipment and getting it to work that insane distance.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Graelin writes:
I can never understand this stuff. You want to give "poor developing countries" internet access? Don't you think we should spend more time actually developing these places before we start laying in the luxuries? (Remember, the Internet is not some god given right, it's a Luxury.)
In the same way that an article of clothing can either be considered a luxury (eg; furs coats) or a necessity (eg; longjohns in Fairbanks), internet access can be viewed as either a luxury (eg; a good game of UT2003) or a necessity (access to the largest single repository of mankind's knowledge).
Aside from the jokes that will stem from that last bombastic statement, just because we use it for primarily entertainment purposes does not mean that's all there is to be had. Internet access means not only the ability to communicate and share ideas (linux comes to mind) but also makes political oppression much, much harder to pull off. If you're a wannabe dictator, you want your citizenry stupid, quiet and weaponless.
My
Limekiller
This is such a misnomer. It's a bog standard long range data link. 'Wi-fi' has generally become the term to describe 802.11 based networking, and not other types of radio data links Like packet radio working through moonbounce (admittedly, not broadband). The day I need a 2.4m dish connected to my laptop for 'wi-fi' is the day hell freezes over.
Slashdot talking bollocks?? Never!!!
and he can eat for a day. Give a man a fishing rod and they can eat for life....or something like that.
So imagine having a wireless link to a hospital that is 300 miles away. The local semi trained nurse could hook up to the hospital (or another one in another country) with a camera and get expert advice on how to treat a patient without the need to fly 300 miles to the hospital. The money saved on the flight could then be used to supply yet another village with better medical supplies and training.
Giving local people access to resources about building wells and wind turbines and there maintance could empower the people to help themselves instead of been given handouts. Information on better faming techniques...The list goes on.
By itself Internet access will not help but combined with an other things it becomes another tool to help.
[Please type your sig here.]