Leveraging blockchain technology, Ammbr is helping users to share WiFi® with neighbors and the community, and earn income while doing so. Combining expertise in blockchain and wireless technologies, Ammbr will be able to bridge the last-mile gap in offering internet connectivity that traditional cable and telecom systems have failed to bridge. Ammbr is a wireless mesh network built on blockchain technology. The joint bandwidth of Ammbr router owners is available 24/7 in an autonomous market. With Ammbr you can load the Ammbr app on your phone or laptop and enjoy the same connection you would at home, as long as it is within the range of Ammbr signal.
Three main aspects
There are three main aspects that make Ammbr technology cutting edge and innovative. One is full spectrum mesh semiconductor. This enables the user to increase the range of WiFi® access point while providing built-in support for a multitude of protocols and spectrum. Secondly, there is the proof of velocity semiconductor which uses blockchain to carry the transactions history of Ammbr marketplace and economy. This is done in a chip, therefore, potentially making it efficient and usable on mobile applications too. Thirdly, the 6-point beam forming wireless antenna enables optimization of your connection by real time beam forming. This enables concentration of signal power in the precise direction needed to increase range and throughput.
Ammbr network, as a shared economy, is more efficient than traditional wireless providers. The global Ammbr network is owned and operated by owners of Ammbr wireless routers. Users connecting to these routers enjoy high-speed, low-cost internet access within the range of any Ammbr router. Each Ammbr mesh network node supports a firmware-based blockchain infrastructure that communicates with other Ammbr nodes to maintain the integrity of that blockchain. With this, the network can be used to support wallet-based micro payments, secure contracts and manage transactions. Furthermore, with each node operating autonomously in the order-driven market, packet transit pricing is determined in real time based on local network conditions. Internet access is then billed and paid for in the native cryptocurrency of Ammbr network, AMMBR. Owners of nodes earn AMMBR tokens by providing wireless broadband connectivity to neighboring nodes or roaming mobile users. There is high-level security and operational parameters provided through blockchain technology.
Ammbr in Kenya and East Africa
This technology would be a boon for places like Kenya and greater East Africa in enabling less privileged members of society to economically empower themselves and reduce poverty and the digital divide. Furthermore, the majority of the population in Kenya and East Africa is aged below 30 years. Having reliable internet access is critical for enabling the vibrant young population to access knowledge and participate in the international online community. Trade would also be enhanced through stronger e-commerce. Kenya specifically is the cradle of mobile money innovation. With the majority of people using mobile money payments such as M-Pesa, the Ammbr wallet-oriented micropayments system can easily be understood by users because of the already high rate of adoption of mobile network innovations.
The number of activities conducted online in Kenya is also high. Citizens and other people need the internet to access some of the government services through e-governance, social networking sites, employment, and education. With more development in technology, more and more activities are moving online and access to the internet is becoming a universal utility. In remote areas in Kenya and East Africa, these services are currently being accessed through remote cyber cafes. These are expensive to run, require manpower and have slow speeds. Despite the high need for high-speed internet, the existing network providers have been unable to tap into the opportunity. This is mainly due to high costs and economic sustainability, especially with unused bandwidth because of light internet users. However, with Ammbr network strategy, adoption of sharing economy model would provide an economic incentive for more users to get on board in remote areas of Kenya and East Africa.
Another challenge in remote areas in Kenya and greater East Africa is fluctuating electricity supply. With Lithium-ion battery, solar panel and all-weather enclosure for mobile usage, Ammbr mesh network can be used seamlessly and provide value for customers who would otherwise not have used internet. A possible partner for Ammbr would be Ubuntu Power (http://www.ubuntupower.org/) who are working to solve these problems. Therefore previous non-users are integrated into the network. Statistics show that internet need in Kenya is very high but the usage is still low. Statistics show that most internet usage is through mobile phones. However, broadband subscriptions are still low at 19%, mainly due to high costs and low electricity supply. There is a lot of room for growth to ensure more internet access for more activities other than slow mobile phone browsing. Ammbr is an innovation that solves a problem not only for Kenya but larger East Africa market and generally the developing markets.
