Seventeenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Internet access for people in transition is invaluable. Providing it can be difficult and expensive, especially if you want to maximize access, assure fairness, and prevent misuse. This session demonstrates a free open source based solution that requires only a $100 device per access point (AP). These devices, using only the cellular network, can be dropped anywhere, and can be powered by AC, batteries, or solar. Many AP devices can be centrally configured, managed and monitored from a cloud portal (also free). They provide simple per-user authentication and per-user usage controls. In addition, the system can provide geo-location services. The key criteria for this platform are cost and ease of setup and use. A user can purchase the AP hardware from a variety of sources, and download a free software image for the device. They then insert a cellular SIM card in each AP, and power it up. At that point they can log in to a cloud portal, where they can set up, control, manage and monitor users for an unlimited number of APs. No training is required. Once the hardware is in hand, a multi-node wifi network can be deployed in less than an hour. This platform can be mobile or fixed.