Did You Know Decentralized Cell Phone Technology Is Already Here?
I first became interested in decentralized cellular technology during protests in Hong Kong in 2014. Freedom of Speech is restricted in China and protestors were using an app called Fire Chat to communicate and organize to keep their identities anonymous from the Chinese Government.
Firechat uses a technology called mesh networking
Mesh networking is the ability to chain devices together.
Firechat uses Bluetooth to allow users to communicate by text without the need of cellular networks or Wi-Fi. The range is approximately 250 feet from device to device. The network has the ability to bounce signals off of other phones with the app installed to reach users that are farther than 250 feet away.
Three downfalls of Firechat.
- All messages are public
- Text only
- Range
Two devices that take mesh networking to the next level
goTenna Mesh
The goTenna Mesh is currently on the market. The device must be paired with your phone via BlueTooth and a downloadable app. The device uses a 1-watt Ultra High Frequency(UHF) radio to broadcast messages to other users.
Like Firechat, it has the ability to relay text messages. There is a topographical map feature you can subscribe to, giving users the ability to access offline maps.
The goTenna Mesh range is approximately 3 miles in open areas and 1 mile in urban areas for straight line communication. However, the device itself acts as a node allowing other users to bounce their signal off other devices so a message can reach its intended recipient.
According to the GoTenna website, the current record for successful communication using the node feature is 10 miles.
Messages are encrypted and can be kept private. Users also have the option to enable private group chats.
Sonnet
The Sonnet device is currently on KickStarter. The device has the same abilities as the GoTenna Mesh, but with three big differences.
It allows the user to send image files and voice recordings.
Additionally, the app eliminates the need for internet access because the application to install to your smartphone is preloaded on the Sonnet device itself.
Sonnet claims line of sight communication for the device to be 6.2 miles. I have been trying to figure out how this is accomplished compared to the range of the goTenna Mesh because both devices are 1-watt in power and auto tune to UHF, depending on your location, to transmit data.
Conclusion
Decentralized cell service still needs major advancements to become a viable solution to cell phone providers(i.e. real time voice communication). In my opinion, frequency and power output licensing restrictions by governments for the average user limit the capability of these products to carry data further. This is an example of how government interference limits innovation.
Bonus
Interesting Notes via Sonnet comments section
We have designed another prototype that exposes a SMA connector so users can connect directional antennas to increase the range of the Sonnet. We are currently doing tests to assess if the SMA connector will create any problem with water-resistance of the enclosure. If not the SMA connection will make it to the final version of the product.
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If you enjoyed this post, please upvote and follow if you desire! I mostly story post about my sobriety, family, effects of war, and the crazier parts of my life. However, if it interests me I may just Steem about it! Steem on Steemians!
I want de-centralized TV
What? You are tired of watching commercials for TV you pay for? LOL. I agree. De-centralized TV would be awesome. If I didn't pay for it...ok...give me commercials. But something seems fishy when television has sponsors AND a monthly subscription fee is paid for the service.
Exactly! Gotta love the ad-less STEEM platform!
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Thank you for sharing this, didn't think it does exist
You are very welcome. Makes me smile to know you learned something new today. I love learning new things.
Thank you, me too, very informstive, i'll follow your work, :)
decentralised technologies will be the main technology backbone within the next few decades.
I agree with you. It makes me pretty happy as it's a way for the common man to take some of the power back from Big Business and overstepping governments.
Great post on great information brother! I find this technology very interesting and is much needed. My only concern is that there are health repercussions in direct exposure to UHF radio waves and is one of the big reasons our first cell phones had to have their wattage lowered. There is no actual definitive proof behind this claim but there must be a reason for this.
As always keep up the good posts my friend.
Peace,
The Last Sage
On a side note, if you would like to resteem that post response I sent you, I reposted it as a blog on my page.
You know I don't even own a cell phone? Many reasons but this is one. I read a post from an article from a doctor a while back in which the doctor noticed he was treating more patients for cancer around the groin area. He started to track the patients and noticed most of them carried cell phones on their hip or in their pocket. This was the first day i began to realize this technology could be destructive.
I have read about GPS technology developed for this same purpose. My concern with that technology is satellites cost quite a bit of money to deploy and who wants to rely on a technology that is so government/business dependent? Also, messages received seem to be location dependent. However, Qualcomm's have the ability to receive messages on the move, so I don't know why it could not be adapted for phones too.
Do all radio frequencies cause this damage? I have often wondered about HAMM Radio signals for cell phone technology like this. I need to look into how the data is carried and if using Continuos Waveform is even feasible for carrying picture and text data.
Yeah kinda figured that out thanks for shareing though
So, why did you click on the link?..just to make a snarky comment? That attitude won't get you far on this platform.
I was not trying to be any form or shape of being rude so sorry if you took it like that
Thanks for clarifying. I apologize for taking it that way.
No problem im one if the nicest people you will ever meet believe me
No problem my new found friend
Wow, this was not an area I inagined blockchain technology making an impact. Great article @lexikon082!
@lexikon082 my good friend, I never knew something like this would exist. This is welcomed development. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome. This technology makes me very excited too!
That was a really informative read!
I was only aware of point-to-point communication like walkie talkies before, which have been around for pretty much a lifetime, longer than I have ;)