Faculty of Science and Technology

Over the last 5 years the Internet has become increasingly regarded as a 'utility' service. However, despite technological enhancements, access to the Internet in rural areas continues to present major challenges - and a 'Digital Divide' has opened up between town and country.

Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are seen as a potential solution to this imbalance; offering a scalable, low-cost, autonomous platform capable of delivering an access network without the need to utilise any previous infrastructure.

This talk, by Nick Race of Computing/ISS, will outline how Wireless Mesh Networking technology has been used within the local village of Wray, providing Internet access to villagers and a networking test-bed to researchers. Five years on from the initial deployment, he'll reflect on some of the groups that have been impacted by the work, and outline the current research activities that have been built around the Wray "Living Lab".

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