Wireless connectivity for the two-thirds world

ArsTechnica is covering a new Intel research project designed to evolve the 802.11 wireless standard so that it cannot operate over larger distances than ever possible. With a theoretical maximum range of 60 miles, the Rural Connectivity Platform can go where fiber can’t, providing enough bandwidth to provide a small village with email and web access, for an estimated $1000 initial setup charge for two nodes.

This sounds similar to the WiMAX initiative the Philippine Department of Science hosted, which seemed quite promising. It remains to be seen whether RCP will suffer from weather degradation like WiMAX, what the power requirements are, or how much training will be required to maintain it.