Where Cellular Networks Don't Exist, People Are Building Their Own

New submitter TechCurmudgeon writes: According to a story at Wired, towns in Mexico that aren't served by the nation's telecom monopoly are taking matters in their own hands with the help of a non-profit and open source technology. "Strategically ignored by Mexico's major telecoms, Yaee is putting itself on the mobile communications grid with the help of a Oaxaca-based telecommunications non-profit called Rhizomatica." A locally-made tower is the backbone of Yaee's first cellular network. The town's network is composed of two antennas and an open-source base station from a Canadian company called NuRAN. Once Yaee gets the tower installed and the network online, its 500 citizens will, for the first time, be able to make cell phone calls from home, and for cheaper rates than almost anywhere else in Mexico.

Comments

Try reading the article first

[lommetennis]

"Armed with an experimental concession from the Mexican government that grants Rhizomatica access to coveted cellular spectrum all over the country, Bloom is slowly but surely bringing coverage "

Re:what about spectrums rights?

[ITRambo]

The linked article states "Armed with an experimental concession from the Mexican government that grants Rhizomatica access to coveted cellular spectrum all over the country," So, yes existing mobile companies care in Mexico. The government is not catering to them, but to the needs of it's citizens in sparsely populated areas. NIce.

Re:We've sold the spectrum here; wouldn't be allow

[bill_mcgonigle]

The spectrum should never ever have been sold off. Only licensed and regulated to prevent conflicts.

But the purpose of a government is to privatize profits and socialize risks. Other arrangements don't require violence to back them.

But what's done is done. We all have to live with the consequences of this and many other short-sighted actions.

There's never been a permanent government in the history of the human race.