Alternative Models of Connectivity

What are Alternative Models of Connectivity?

What are Traditional Models?

• Device > Wifi > ISP > Internet
• ISP's: Gateway Between user and network
• Discriminatory Due to Cost

Tamed by Tech Giants

• "Millions of FB Users Have No Idea They're Using the Internet"
• Google, Amazon Facebook Comprise Top Sites

Alternative Models

• Anything Falling Outside of Trad Model
• Can Add Networking Infrastructure w/o ISP

Examples

• Distributed Phone to Phone (FireChat)
• Sensor Networks
• Community Networks (Red Hook)

Two Principles of Adoption

• Low Barrier to Entry
• Useful and Desirable Services

Alternative Networks promote digital democracy by challenging incumbent access providers and fostering community engagement.

Factors for Success

• Many Important Protocols are Open Source
• Networking =/= Internet
• OSI Model of the Stack

The OSI Stack

• Application
• Presentation
• Session
• Transport
• Network
• Data Link
• Physical

Many Recent Advancements in Hardware and Software

CJDNS

• Networking Protocol Geared for Mesh Application
• Used in Seattle Meshnet "Hyperboria"
• Node Verification
• End-to-end Encryption

Micro-Controllers

• Pinoccio
• Spark-Core (Photon)
• Flutter Wireless

Implementation

• Mesh Networks for High Density (Cities)
• Free Space Optical (FSO) for Rural Spaces

Case Studies

FireChat

• Chinese Democratic Protests of 2014
• Distributed point to point

Red Hook Wireless

• Community Engagement
• Technical Education
• 75% Gained Employment or Continued Education

Guifi

• Largest in the World
• Born out of Poor Service by Incumbent Providers
• Community-Led Innovation

Further Adoption

• Parallel to Rise of Web Technologies
• From Niche to Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
• Tripod/Angelfire: "Boutique" Networks Can Follow this Model

Much Like the evolution of HTML from a modest style guide to the artistic form we see today, Alternative Networks can develop into a creative practice.

Individuals bring their own skills, interests, motivations, voice, and style.

Alternative Networks will face a trial as they become more widely adopted, but those who work in the field can make a constructive impact.

Sources

• Millions of Facebook Users Have No Idea They’re Using the Internet,” Quartz, February 9, 2015, http://qz.com/333313/milliions-of-facebook-users- have-no-idea-theyre-using-the-internet/

Phil Bain
University of Denver
bain.pmcg@gmail.com