Internet for Refugees, as Internet for everyone

Today, Brussels, Belgium is one of the centers of illegal immigration from people trying to go either to France to the United Kingdom. Last year, 17,235 persons were identified in Belgium, i.e. almost 47 persons per day, following Europol. This number is a raise of 1,000 persons vs. 2017 and almost reaches the record of 2,016.

Most of the people gather today is parcs, outside reach of any telecommunication system, outside any free Internet access. In order to develop an adaptive solution for these people in specific areas, the Internet Society would like to develop a specific structure, at low cost, to provide Internet for all, wherever they are.

How? Using PLC.

What is PLC: Following Wikipedia: Power-line communications systems operate by adding a modulated carrier signal to the wiring system. Different types of power-line communications use different frequency bands. Since the power distribution system was originally intended for transmission of AC power at typical frequencies of 50 or 60 Hz, power wire circuits have only a limited ability to carry higher frequencies. The propagation problem is a limiting factor for each type of power-line communications.

Data rates and distance limits vary widely over many power-line communication standards. Low-frequency (about 100–200 kHz) carriers impressed on high-voltage transmission lines may carry one or two analog voice circuits, or telemetry and control circuits with an equivalent data rate of a few hundred bits per second; however, these circuits may be many miles long. Higher data rates generally imply shorter ranges; a local area network operating at millions of bits per second may only cover one floor of an office building, but eliminates the need for installation of dedicated network cabling.

Why PLC? In many Parcs, there is a common element, public lightning.

The purpose is to distribute the PLC signal in the public lightning, adding a WIFI transmitter and authorize the access to any person with the range of the lightning.

Biggest advantage; We don’t need to build expensive Antenna around the park to cover all dark zone and we can disseminate the signal throughout all existing structure.

It’s safe, easy to install and needs few technical structures to be operational Above all, this solution is highly replicable in all Dark Zone i.e. not covered by traditional free WIFI.

In a nutshell:

Purpose: Belgium is a central pivot point for Migrants/Refugee going either to France or England. Most of the time, they stay in Brussels occupying Parks and non-covered WIFI zone.

Goal: Stay connected is central to avoid people get ban from communication. Stay integrated, stay in communication.

Idea: Avoiding high infrastructure cost by using PLC network in parks to distribute Internet + WIFI on the public lightning.

Partner: NGO for organizing and distributing the information to people – Utility company for the PLC signal and Wifi devices. Both would be at no cost as this a repositioning of the company.

ETA: Q1 2021.