DakNet is a wireless network developed at MIT to provide connectivity to rural areas in developing nations using a hub, kiosks, and Mobile Access Points (MAPs) that deliver data between kiosks and portable storage devices called MAPs, addressing the need for affordable connectivity in remote villages where access to phones and internet requires long travel. The architecture uses short-range wireless links between low-cost components to seamlessly scale affordable broadband connectivity, applications, and information services to unequipped rural communities.

1. “
”
DakNet
Rethinking Connectivity in developing nations
By
V.V.Krishnadeepu

2. Meaning and origin
 It is a word which is derived from Hindi and
English
 Dak – In Hindi which means “postal” or to be
precise “mobile”.
 Net – In English network or even internet .

3. Definition:
 Daknet is a wireless network provider for rural
areas. It requires bare minimum investment and
equipment and efficiently provides connectivity
to the third world countries. It uses wireless
technology to provide asynchronous digital
connectivity.

4. Developed by and at
 MIT -Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
 Mostly by Indian graduates .
 With co-operation of United Villages Inc.
 It is an ad hoc network.
 Ad hoc-A wireless ad hoc network is a decentralized type of wireless network.

5. Need for DakNet
 A phone is a dutifully installed as a part of current govt. mandate to connect
villages to the neighbouring towns .
 The phone is use occasionally
 Most people travel miles to get forms and data
 Even for a phone call people travel 20 miles in some villages in India like village
called Kalapathar in Orissa
 Analog phones are far more expensive (Hard lines)

6. Architecture of Daknet
 Components of architecture
 Hub -Internet access point
 Kiosk - cabin or a telephone booth like structured
 MAP -Mobile access point
DakNet transmit data over short point to point links b/w kiosks and portable storage
devices called MAPs(Mobile Access Points).These are digitalized storage devices.

7. Architecture of DakNet

8. Daknet Technology Architecture
 The hub server software and the kiosk client software are pre-installed and
pre-configured.
 The Mobile Access Points also have the network software pre-installed and
configured.
 The software consists of system, transport, and application level codes
written to optimize the use of the physical network and serve as a platform
to interface with numerous end-user applications while retaining a small
data overhead and processing power requirements.

9. ICT
Information Communication Technologies
 The UN’s target is also to connect the
remote areas with the help of their R&D
Developing countries have their advantages
to adopt this type of optimal and cheap
equipment tech to get their remote areas
connected

10. Challenges in adopting ICT
Rural and remote areas have been slow to
change for several reasons-
High cost and limited access are the main
obstacles to telephone services
The ratio of communication
infrastructure to income in many times
larger

11. First Mile Solutions
The way it works
 Mobile Access Points that are mounted
on vehicles to provide broadband "drive-by
WiFi" access as they pass through rural
areas. As the vehicle carrying the Mobile
Access Point drives by each village, it
automatically collects and delivers data
wirelessly to/from access devices in each
village.

12. Seamless Scalability
 Daknet provides the ability to seamlessly upgrade to the always-on broadband
connectivity.
 The wireless broadband connectivity provides sophisticated services like voice
over internet protocol which allows “normal” real-time telephony.
 Daknet supports easy user-interface and low cost hardware that allows
individuals, with no professional skills of using communication devices,
operate the software and get connected.

13. Daknet Economics
 A capital investment of $1500 mill could equip each of India’s 50000rural
buses with MAP and their by provides connectivity to about 750 million people
living in rural India .
 Costs for user interactive user devises that DakNet supports includes-client
terminals ,PDAs and VolP telephones also became far more affordable than
traditional PCs or WLL equipment.

14. Advantages
• Daknet allows for low cost and low power radio devices to be used.
• The use of short distance radio links also ensures high data rated.
• Does not have the interference problem.
• Security problem is not there.
• And maintenance cost associated with long distance wireless links.

15. Applications
 Internet/Internet messaging
 Information distribution/Broadcasting
 Information collection
 Rural supply chain management
 Information searching & web searching

16. Introducing rural inhabitants to DAKNET

17. Daknet in action
 Bhoomi initiative in India is recognized as the first national e-governance initiative in
India. Pioneered by the State Government of Karnataka, Bhoomi has been successfully
implemented across the state to completely replace the physical land records system.
 Villagers along the bus route have enthusiastically received the DakNet-Bhoomi
system. They are grateful to avoid making the long, expensive trip into the main city to
obtain land records.

18. Conclusion
We have discussed all the benefits of the DakNet and it is evidentially going to
help the developing nations like India eradicate the-digital-divide by bringing
technology to everyone . The current focus is on further reduction of cost of
required equipment.

19. Thank you for your consideration
V.V.Krishnadeepu