Wireless Networking in the Developing World

"While much information about building wireless networks can be found on-line, that presents a problem for people in areas with little or no connectivity..." - Rob Flickenger

This book is designed for those seeking to piece together a wireless network even while facing constraints such as a lack of manuals, sporadic and slow access to the internet, inadequate tools, a shortage of supplies, inclement weather, and the like. Its purpose is to help people build affordable communication technology in their local communities by making best use of whatever resources are available. The manual's premise is that, "By using local sources for materials and fabricating parts yourself, you can build reliable network links with very little budget. And by working with your local community, you can build a telecommunications infrastructure that benefits everyone who participates in it."

Wireless Networking in the Developing World (WNDW) is intended to be a comprehensive resource for technologists in the developing world, providing the information they need to build infrastructure links to be used as the backbone for wide area wireless networks. Topics from basic radio physics and network design to equipment and troubleshooting are addressed through diagrams and calculations, as well as case studies that present various groups' attempts at building these networks, the resources that were committed to them, and the ultimate results of these attempts. Information is presented from many points of view, and incorporates technical, social, and financial considerations.

The book's creation and dissemination reflect a commitment to participation. The authors, all experts in the field of wireless community networking, gathered in London for a "Book Sprint" in October 2005. The trans-continental team spent a week fleshing out the details of the book, which they wrote, edited, and released in only 3 months. Furthermore, the manual has been released under a Creative Commons license, meaning that it is free to download, print and modify, even for a profit, as long as proper credit is given and any modifications or copies made are shared under the same terms. The authors hope that, by releasing the book into the "Creative Commons", it can be improved, expanded, and translated. A wiki has been set up for ideas, corrections, and contributions to the book. The PDF will be updated periodically; ordering from the print-on-demand service ensures receipt of the latest revision.

The book is available in PDF form and for sale in print at the WNDW website. It may be downloaded for free as a single file (2.0 MB), or chapter-by-chapter. The website also features related materials, which at present (or in the future will) include printed books, an archived mailing list for discussion of the concepts and techniques described in the book, and additional case studies, training course material and related information.