Rural Connectivity

Posted on March 19, 2008

It’s almost as if they were listening……

Hot on the heels of my recent diatribe on dial-up in the US, Intel says they’ve developed a new wifi technology aimed at extending existing wifi networks into rural under-served areas. Dubbed the rural connectivity platform (RCP), the node consists of a processor, radios, specialized software and an antenna — and is capable of offering 6.5Mbps Wi-Fi connectivity over 60 miles to another unit. The antennas are relatively standard; the software makes the difference.

They hope to sell the devices (which consume about five to six watts and therefore can be solar powered) for around $500.

Now get real unexcited when I tell you all the ‘adage’ coming out of Intel on this speaks of undeveloped areas and developing countries around the world. Their PR department probably doesn’t think it’s a hot number to relate this to rural areas of the US but it sounds oh so cool to think about shooting the signal out to some remote village around Lake Titicaca or somesuch.

So this fall they’ll be ready to send it down the Amazon but not down I-20.