User:Zephyrheart/Telecommunications

Telecommunications

Introduction

When most people think of oceanic telecommunications they think of satellite links, fiber lines, and radios. These are the "tried and true" oceanic communications methods. But the seasteading community isn't just a few ships, it's the expansion of humanity into the last vastly unpopulated region of the earth. Early adopters may not expect to bring with them the amenities found on land, but future seasteaders will. One of these amenities, necessary for many modern land-locked citizens' work and entertainment, is telecommunications.

In order to bring telecomm to seasteads, we'll need a few things (in no particular order):

 A - Viable technologies adapted for oceanic use
 B - A modular, expandable distribution method
 C - Equipment housing/telecomm stations
 D - Power
 E - Maintenance and Upgrades
 F - Funding

Viable oceanic telecomm technologies

Many new technologies are being leveled for use in seasteading projects, so why settle for antiquated methods when it comes to comm? While radio and satellite communications are valid for early adoption, a more robust network will be needed to draw the population needed to make seasteading a viable option for modern civilization. Here are some thoughts on what technologies I think may be most effective in the near term. (Note: These ideas are for seasteads too far from near-shore communications options, and incorporate a multi-community mentality.)

Point-to-Point/Point-to-Multipoint - Utilizing line of sight (LoS) microwave communications arrays, a backbone point-to-point communications link can be broadcast from shore to an oceanic base station. This station can then broadcast a point-to-multipoint signal like cellular communications towers [WiMax?] to provide internet connectivity to seasteads within communications range, average 10-30mi radius.

A modular, expandable distribution method

Like a spiderweb, where multiple threads intersect to create a net-like structure, multiple base stations will be needed. This will provide greater range of coverage, higher bandwidth connections, and redundancy. Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, and Mesh Networking technologies will assist in making this happen.

Greater range of coverage - Utilizing Point-to-Point technologies as a backbone, we can extend the connectivity by many miles [distance?] per link by sending the signal to base stations further into the ocean. With each of these stations broadcasting a 10-30mi network signal, we can easily extend coverage by adding more base stations to the network. This allows us to reach many areas not previously serviced (or serviced well) by existing technologies.

Higher bandwidth connections - As range extends, so do possible points of presence (POPs) for internet connectivity. New on-shore base stations can be placed to provide secondary and tertiary internet connections for the network. Utilizing mesh networking techniques, these extra connections can be tied in to reduce strain on the existing network while providing alternate data outlets into the current global network infrastructure.

Redundancy - Base stations can be outfitted with backhaul links to connect with multiple stations at a time. This requires additional equipment, but allows for alternate data paths when specific links become unreliable. Mesh networking could also allow redundancy through allowing peer-to-peer connectivity to pass data when other links are unavailable [similar to comm convoy concept].

Equipment housing / Telecomm stations

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(...a work in progress - to be continued!)