Future Fibre is a recurring series where we share some of the research, models, news, and ideas around community based connectivity. The Internet is too important to leave in the hands of big corporations.
The combination of open source technology and legacy technology makes it possible to setup networks that are affordable and offer quality that is good enough for the needs of users who otherwise might have nothing.
CFU is another solid example of municipally own Internet infrastructure that is run by a municipal utility. Much like EPB in Tennessee, there seems to be a definite advantage for municipalities that have their own utility arms.
One of the most important insights or lessons is the necessity of fibre optic connectivity rather than wireless. While this remains true in any community, it is particularly essential in rural and remote communities that are already suffering from expensive, slow, and unreliable access.
Althea combines open source software, accessible hardware, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology towards achieving a community ISP that can be set up anywhere.
Imagine if Internet was neither a significant monthly cost, nor congested due to low speeds and poor connection quality. This is what’s possible when the infrastructure is owned by the public, and the market is configured towards healthy competition.
