Pilot Project Bohechio Village Area Network

MIT Media Lab’s eDevelopment group designed the first Village Area Network implemented in the rural community of Bohechio, Dominican Republic. Last year a LINCOS telecenter was installed in Bohechio. The VAN extends LINCOS’ services outside the community center and supports mobile handheld services and new computer services in strategic local centers such as schools and hospital.

 

Bohechio is located in the center of Dominican Rep. Its principal economic activity is agriculture and livestock. Population aproximately 7000 people. Only 5 telephone lines exist in the community.

The LINCOS telecenter provides access to information and communication services: 6 computers, 2 telephones, telemedicine unit, fax, copies, and Internet service.

About 80% of the houses have their own TV. There’s one Cable TV provider in the village.

VAN Architecture

The LINCOS container has a 256 kbps VSAT connection to the Internet. A point-to-point link was made between the LINCOS and radio mast which houses omnidirectional antenna.

An omnidirectional antenna was placed on the top of the City Hall. The antenna enjoys line of site to every part of the community.

Fixed and mobile wireless stations, equipped with network interface cards 802.11, will allow the members of the community to access network resources. The VAN coverage is roughly 11km2.
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