Software to Use Cell phones without transmission towers

[hahaho]

Just perfect for use in countries going through revolution or uprising ?

Software to Use Cell phones without towers

WASHINGTON: Scientists have developed a new mobile technology which they claim is set to improve calls during disasters by allowing the transmission of signals without nearby cellphone towers.

An international team, led by Flinders University, has created the software which can run on 'off-the-shelf ' mobile phones and allow them to relay calls for one phone to another — without the presence of mobile phone towers in the vicinity — before ultimately re-connecting with an operating mobile telephone tower.

"Our technology allows the signal from the working towers to be relayed into areas lacking signal, allowing calls in and out of affected areas . What is amazing is that we have programmed fairly ordinary mobile telephones to perform this function, without using any specialised hardware," Dr Paul Gardner-Stephen , who led the team, said.

He added, "My team and I are excited about the potential of our technology to help when a crisis strikes. From the outset of this project we have been committed to making our technology freely available. Any telephone carrier or handset manufacturer that wishes to incorporate our technology is free to do so, and indeed we would be delighted to assist them in that process."

The technology also has the potential to dramatically improve mobile telephone coverage in many rural and remote locations where a signal is available only from limited locations in a community or with a frustratingly weak signal, say the scientists.

"Phones running our software relay calls between themselves. If even just one of those can see a cell tower, then calls can be with any of the phones, thus sustaining communications in affected areas. A balloon is not necessary ; a phone running our software at any vantage point can suffice," he said.

 

[zuoom]

mesh at work. machiam like P2P networks, but on the mobile phone. but erm, wouldn't that sap battery?

 

[uncleyap]

Just think P2P.



Torrent & other similar concepts eliminated the single point of failure.

If cellphones were redesigned to route calls for each other, then only the long haul inter-city or international calls needs centralized infrastructure.

That means only more powerful and more power consumption in each cellphone, but can be very good when used in any high density cities.

When IPV6 come to life, manufacturers should make each phone a router for other phones, and calls 100% VOIP on top of other data services. It combined the 2 parts infrastructure of (1) mobile phone (2) cell sites.

 

[uncleyap]

mesh at work. machiam like P2P networks, but on the mobile phone. but erm, wouldn't that sap battery?

You are right. But make it a fair system: each cellphone subscriber should be entitled to some rebates per kilobyte of data which their phones had routed for other users. So you spent your equipment and battery power not for nothing. If you want to earn income just power up many units of cellphone and position them strategically not for your own use but to earn from offering network traffic service - you are a small time network operator like STinKtel.

 

[eErotica69]

An improved Walkie Talkie Technology?

 

[eatshitndie]

you still need your mobile session to be terminated and anchored at a serving node or gateway which connects to an authentication system for subscriber profile verification and billing purposes. you can can have all the mesh you want, but if your session gateway is choked or cannot handle the capacity, you're as good as getting a failed connection.

 

[singveld]

during disaster the biggest problem is to recharge the mobile battery.

now if it is transmitting someone else message, how long can the battery last.

I think this technology will kill more people than it going to save.