Update on the Incentivized Mesh Network, or What are we doing with these antennas in the woods?

This is an update on the project under way to build an incentivized mesh network by Cascadian MeshNet in partnership with Althea.
Here in rural northwest Oregon we continue to work on one of the first examples of an incentivized mesh network. This network is built with our partners, Althea Mesh, who pioneered the idea of cryptocurrency powered mesh networks as an alternative to traditionally structured internet service providers. We believe this incentivized mesh net model is the answer to not only to rural access, but also the answer to decentralizing the infrastructure of the internet. When the financial incentive is shifted from large ISPs to individuals and communities, the infrastructure becomes decentralized as more people are empowered to contribute resources. Decentralization is inherently democratic, self-healing, and resilient. We hope that these decentralized networks will provide an alternative to traditional ISPs that is net neutral, resilient, and reaches out to provide access to underserved areas.
Currently, we have deployed the sector antennas at the Gateway and facilitated a user to set up antennas at his location. Our setup is very similar to what would be employed by a Wireless Internet Service Provider, with a main Gateway node providing internet access to multiple users via wireless signal. Several other users are at various stages of set-up. The users in this case will own and maintain their own wireless equipment, with our help and guidance as needed. We have also cleared the underbrush at our hill top location in preparation to deploy a custom made tower and off-grid equipment. We have run into some snags in the engineering of this tower, but it is nearing completion with some adjustments to the deployment mechanism. Further iterations of a rapidly deployable tower system (RDTS) with different designs are planned.
For this test network, we will showcase a cooperative model, where the users of the bandwidth will “co-own” the gateway node and have voting rights to determine the maintenance and growth of the network. A cryptocurrency token based on Ethereum will be used to facilitate voting within the network. Adding and removing members using a token curated registry system is also being discussed.
Once we have deployed and tested this network, we will be available to help build out other networks using Althea’s revolutionary incentivized meshnet and will continue to focus on developing additional hardware for this use. If you are interested in this technology in your area, please contact as at [email protected] or find out more at www.incentivizedmeshnet.com. Learn more about Althea at www.altheamesh.com.