[Asterisk-Users] Semi-OT: An idea for New Orleans temporarycommunications infrastructure

[Dean Collins]

Hi Jeremy,

I think the first place to start on this is some corporate funding by
one of the voip providers (you could pretty much guarantee US only
calls).

Once you have this, the rest (servers, generators, sip phones etc)
fairly easy to come by.

If you do get this off the ground I would be willing to make a donation
to a "asterisk" relief project.

I would also suggest that maybe instead of looking to set up within the
disaster zones that you consider setting up in the relocation zone (eg
where people are being sent to) yes they have payphones there but having
a bank of 20 grandstream phones connected a T1 is a far smarter and more
effective solution and probably more meaningful. 

These people are going to need to reach out to friends/family throughout
the states and having somewhere to do this from would be a great source
of support.



Cheers,
Dean





> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-
> bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Jeremy Melanson
> Sent: Friday, 2 September 2005 9:36 AM
> To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
> Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Semi-OT: An idea for New Orleans
> temporarycommunications infrastructure
> 
> Just something I was thinking about today...
> 
> The communications infrastructure of New Orleans and surrounding
> communities has been obliterated. It occurred to me that it may be
> possible to provide outgoing phone capability using a few Asterisk
> servers, connected wirelessly (routing provided using NoCat, MIT
> Roofnet, or some other wireless routing implementation), and 20-30 SIP
> phones connected to each server. Using a couple good internet
> connections, one could theoretically use asteriskout.com or a similar
> service for the outgoing calls.
> 
> Some hurdles would need to be overcome:
> 
> 1. Where to get the equipment. A basic setup for each point of
presence
> would require 1 computer (preferrably a high-powered laptop, 20-30
> low-cost SIP phones, and 1 ethernet switch to connect the phones. We
> would also need a means to provide high-gain 802.11b/g networking from
> the machine, or some other piece of equipment.
> 
> 2. Power for the equipment. SIP phones are fairly low in terms of
power
> consumption. IMHO, a single gas generator for each point of presence
> would be required.
> 
> 3. Internet connectivity. Where and how would one provide internet
> connectivity to the nodes, and what would be the required bandwidth?
> Could a local ISP, satellite broadband, or telecom provider be
contacted
> to provide the needed bandwidth? Who would pay for the service?
> 
> 4. Funding and help. This would obviously cost time and money to
> implement. One could potentially solicit donations for equipment and
> money, and time from volunteers willing to assist in the rollout and
> management.
> 
> 5. Security. Local law enforcement and/or the Army National Guard may
be
> required to provide security assistance due to the anarchic state of
the
> region.
> 
> -----------------
> 
> It's just an idea I had. It may not even be feasable, or even worth
it.
> I know that if I was stranded somewhere, I'd at least want to be able
to
> contact family or loved-ones outside to let them know I'm ok.
> I'd be curious if anyone had some thoughts on the value and
feasability
> of such a project as this. I live in Massachusetts, and have no
ability
> to get down there myself at the present time, but I'd be willing to
> provide what I can with funding, equipment, planning, and remote
> administration if needed.
> 
> -----
> Jeremy
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