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So this [1] has been going on and is pretty serious. It makes clear the importance of setting up mesh networks. If you're cut off from communication in the mi

So this [1] has been going on and is pretty serious. It makes clear the importance of setting up mesh networks. If you're cut off from communication in the midst of something like this, you're helpless. [1] https://thehill.com/policy/international/588318-kazakhstan-government-resigns-as-demonstrators-set-fire-to-capital https://thehill.com/policy/international/588318-kazakhstan-g...

radicaldreamer 5y ago
We need more Starlink-like services which aren't dependent on local physical infra... local mesh networks are not viable without a physical backbone, which can be turned off.
- sudosysgen 5y ago
  Local mesh networks are way easier to hide than Starlink transmitters. All Russia would have to do is fly one of their AWACS over a city and they could make a list of all the active Starlink transmitters, and get them arrested.
- avmich 5y ago
  You sure know that places like China or Russia strictly forbid Starlink use? How'd you plan to use a service like this if it's considered a major offense by the autocracy?
toss1 5y ago
Mesh networks do sound like a real solution, but we need a substrate that can do long-distance hops. Otherwise, it'd just a bunch of population-center islands of communication. Perhaps this is better than nothing, but with that being the best case, it seems to be the hurdle preventing progress. Otherwise, seems all we've really got is Ham Radio. Suggestions as to what I'm missing here?
- barathr 5y ago
  That's right. The natural way to do this is to do long-haul point to point wireless using commodity hardware. Such backhaul links will be limited to a few Gbps each but that's better than nothing. Building this out further, you could create a network like this: https://arxiv.org/abs/1809.10897 https://arxiv.org/abs/1809.10897
  - t0mas88 5y ago
    I think the problem isn't technical. Point to point links or satellite fit the requirements. The problem is that it's very dangerous to operate one in a state where the government has turned the internet off to suppress protests.
- rasengan 5y ago
  I think what's important primarily is the inter-island communication first -- the power of the people in communication well exceeds any governmental force. But I agree, to be connected to the world at large, we need to make sure there are satellites, long haul ptp microwave wifi, and other methods connecting the islands. My heart weeps for Kazakhstan, I pray that no more will be harmed.
henning 5y ago
I admire nerds' ability to imagine that every political problem has a purely technical solution. It's a wonderful dream world where the answer to climate change is a hackathon.
- avmich 5y ago
  Sounds like demonstrating a working solution to a problem doesn't convince some people :( .
- DennisP 5y ago
  Who's saying "purely?" Tools help. They don't solve things on their own, but they do help. Oppressive governments also use tools, like surveillance equipment and weapons. Nobody makes snide remarks about their dependence on technical solutions.
A4ET8a8uTh0 5y ago
This is not a new trend. I no longer even remember who started it ( was it India ?), but these days whenever government in power is seriously challenged, internet communication is the first to go. This just happened to also hit a crypto network.

radicaldreamer 5y ago

We need more Starlink-like services which aren't dependent on local physical infra... local mesh networks are not viable without a physical backbone, which can be turned off.

sudosysgen 5y ago
Local mesh networks are way easier to hide than Starlink transmitters. All Russia would have to do is fly one of their AWACS over a city and they could make a list of all the active Starlink transmitters, and get them arrested.
avmich 5y ago
You sure know that places like China or Russia strictly forbid Starlink use? How'd you plan to use a service like this if it's considered a major offense by the autocracy?

toss1 5y ago

Mesh networks do sound like a real solution, but we need a substrate that can do long-distance hops. Otherwise, it'd just a bunch of population-center islands of communication. Perhaps this is better than nothing, but with that being the best case, it seems to be the hurdle preventing progress. Otherwise, seems all we've really got is Ham Radio. Suggestions as to what I'm missing here?

barathr 5y ago
That's right. The natural way to do this is to do long-haul point to point wireless using commodity hardware. Such backhaul links will be limited to a few Gbps each but that's better than nothing. Building this out further, you could create a network like this: https://arxiv.org/abs/1809.10897 https://arxiv.org/abs/1809.10897
- t0mas88 5y ago
  I think the problem isn't technical. Point to point links or satellite fit the requirements. The problem is that it's very dangerous to operate one in a state where the government has turned the internet off to suppress protests.
rasengan 5y ago
I think what's important primarily is the inter-island communication first -- the power of the people in communication well exceeds any governmental force. But I agree, to be connected to the world at large, we need to make sure there are satellites, long haul ptp microwave wifi, and other methods connecting the islands. My heart weeps for Kazakhstan, I pray that no more will be harmed.

henning 5y ago

I admire nerds' ability to imagine that every political problem has a purely technical solution. It's a wonderful dream world where the answer to climate change is a hackathon.

avmich 5y ago
Sounds like demonstrating a working solution to a problem doesn't convince some people :( .
DennisP 5y ago
Who's saying "purely?" Tools help. They don't solve things on their own, but they do help. Oppressive governments also use tools, like surveillance equipment and weapons. Nobody makes snide remarks about their dependence on technical solutions.

A4ET8a8uTh0 5y ago

This is not a new trend. I no longer even remember who started it ( was it India ?), but these days whenever government in power is seriously challenged, internet communication is the first to go. This just happened to also hit a crypto network.