Cross-Continent Collaboration Possibilities As Africa’s Internet

Technology Advances

Roger HislopInternet Solutions

We can reach around the world without even trying.

But distances are real.

Out with the old.

In with the not even terribly new.

MicrowaveAny number of flavoursRelatively cheap, fast, high latency.Future? New satellites and constellations with ~100ms RTT and Gbps speeds

SatelliteSeveral options, from big teleport-based links to on-premise VSAT.Expensive, slow, high latency.Future? New satellites and constellations with ~100ms RTT and Gbps speeds

In with the new.

MobileBasic EDGE, or 3G, or LTEExpensive, slow, moderate latency.Future? LTE has promise, and ubiquitous

Wi-Fi Off-the-shelf, flexible, well understoodCheap, fast(ish), but unlicensed.Future? Licensing in many African countries could be more flexible, and interference will only increase

Low(ish) frequency, long distance, shared spectrum

Pick a bit of a country, any bit.

Small. Powerful. Infinitely flexible.

You’re going to be doing a lot more of these.

What do you want to sense today?

We must not forget about the bad guys.

The future is faster, smoother, better.

The future is what we make it.

Discussion…