subject: Mobile system promises free calls posted: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:22:29 +0100
[Oh-la, peer-to-peer mobile phones! If the history of P2P on the PC
is anything to go by, this one could be a winner. There might be
problems with security, depending on whether the call data is
encrypted before it is transmitted, and there will undoubtedly be
latency problems, P2P on the PC works great but is not known for its
speed. But the architecture has the potential to eliminate the
"CellCo" (mobile phone service provider). If I was them, I'd be
buying this technology and rolling it out, before someone else does,
and destroys my business. Resistance is useless ... - Stu]
A new way of making calls directly between phones, for free, is being
trialled by a Swedish company.
It is hoping to dramatically improve communications in the developing
world.
Swedish company TerraNet has developed the idea using peer-to-peer
technology that enables users to speak on its handsets without the
need for a mobile phone base station.
The technology is designed for remote areas of the countryside or
desert where base stations are unfeasible.
Projects backed by TerraNet recently launched in Tanzania and
Ecuador.
TerraNet founder Anders Carlius told the BBC World Service's Digital
Planet programme that the idea for TerraNet came when he was on
safari in Tanzania in 2002, and found that poor connectivity meant he
could not ring friends riding in another jeep only a few metres away.
"I started thinking, 'couldn't we get phone-to-phone without needing
any other equipment, and actually have real voice communication, like
a telephone call, between units?'" he said.
Digital identity
The TerraNet technology works using handsets adapted to work as peers
that can route data or calls for other phones in the network.
The handsets also serve as nodes between other handsets, extending
the reach of the entire system. Each handset has an effective range
of about one kilometre.
This collaborative routing of calls means there is no cost to talk
between handsets.
When a TerraNet phone is switched on, it begins to look for other
phones within range. If it finds them, it starts to connect and
extend the radio network.
When a number is dialled a handset checks to see if the person being
called is within range. If they are, the call goes through.
While individually the phones only have a maximum range of 1km, any
phone in between two others can forward calls, allowing the distance
to double. This principle applied many times creates a mini network.
However, Mr Carlius admitted that this has created big problems with
having enough available frequencies.
The system can also be used to make calls to other TerraNet mesh
networks via a net-connected PC fitted with an inexpensive USB
dongle.
"If you look at places like Africa, South America, India, China,
we're really for the first time giving people a digital identity," he
added.
"People are able to talk to other people using a phone number.
"With our stuff, we are giving the low-end man or woman the chance to
talk locally for free."
And TerraNet phones currently only work with a special handset -
although Mr Carlius said he hopes that it will eventually be a
feature available on all phones, like Bluetooth.
He said that were this to happen, it could potentially spell the end
for the current Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications model.
About 70% of all mobile phones use this technology.
Mr Carlius said large mobile firms did not like the idea of using a
peer-to-peer model to make calls.
"One of the biggest things against us is that the big operators and
technology providers are really pushing against us, saying this
technology doesn't work and it doesn't have a business model," he
said.
"This is fine - just join us in Lund and see how the technology
works, and ask our customers how our business model works."
Mr Carlius said that mobile phone manufacturer Ericsson had invested
around £3m in TerraNet, and this indicated that the business model
for the network is sound.
