The balsapuerto network: A case study in jungle Internet
Alan Rolf Mickelson, Martin J. Murillo · 2016
The backbone of the Balsapuerto network of Loreto Peru is constructed of low-cost, high-speed technology, Wi-Fi Long Distance Networking (WiLDNet). WiLDNet is commonly used in Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD). In the case of the Balsapuerto network, 5.8 GHz point to point links interconnect four health posts of the upper Amazon, those in Balsapuerto with Varadero with San Juan with Yurimaguas. The network was constructed primarily by the Grupo de Telecomuncaciones Rurales of the Catholic University of Lima, Peru in 2012 with funding from the IEEE - Foundation and the help of volunteers. The ownership of the network was originally in the hands of the health posts and the IEEE. In other cases such as that of La Red del Napo further north in the state of Loreto, funding by the Global Fund resulted in the network being owned by the state of Peru. Ownership is important where sustainability is involved. In this paper, we will discuss the WiLD technology and sustainability of jungle networks. Many examples of hardware configuration are taken from the La Red del Napo of which the author has firsthand technical experience. This Napo Network is of similar construction of the Balsapuerto network as its construction was overseen by the same group (Grupo de Telecomuncaciones Rurales) that oversaw the construction of the Balsapuerto Network. Discussion will also be given to the results of an IEEE - Foundation funded workshop held in November of 2014 that included the Balsapuerto stakeholders (health post operators and local entrepreneurs) as well as observers from Madrid, Boulder and Lima. The workshop focused on achieving economic sustainability of the then non-functioning network. Discussion will then turn to the European Union (EU) project that is now operating the network as a 3G testbed.