Blockchain startup 3air plans to leverage the power of decentralization to provide internet connectivity across Africa. 3air is partnering with K3 Telecom to meet the physical infrastructure requirements.
In Africa, only 20% of people are active internet users, with less than 1% having access to broadband. Comparing this with the 60% of the world population that actively uses the internet, we see that African nations still have a long way to go before they can fully utilize the internet.
The inadequate internet access not only makes it difficult to implement successful COVID-19 containment methods, but it also impacts other social and economic aspects of the region including the way citizens interact with their government, with businesses, and with each other.
What is 3air?
3air’s vision is to make broadband connectivity available to the masses that is easy to access through its blockchain-based platform and elevates the principles of decentralization for use in the solution for a real-world and critical problem.
3air aims to achieve this first by addressing the problem of physical infrastructure in low-connectivity regions. The project has partnered with K3 Telecom which will develop the physical infrastructure as part of its “K3 Last Mile” initiative, whilst 3air develops the blockchain-based software.
The physical infrastructure will comprise mobile internet base stations, each of which will support up to 15,000 internet users, have a range of 50 km, and provide up to 1 Gbps per user (240x faster than the average mobile internet connection).
Base stations are interconnected around a city, with at least one in any network connected to the global internet. According to 3air, this approach is both more efficient and cost-effective, as they can be deployed and started quickly owing to their small size, robustness, performance, and low-skill installation.
Additionally, each base station consumes a relatively low 500 W, meaning their impact on their local environment is minimized. The connection is then relayed to homes or buildings which host the transceivers.
Decentralized and powered by Cardano
Simultaneously, 3air is seeking to bring the world’s fastest-growing continent into the fast-developing decentralized age. 3air leverages the power and features of the popular blockchain platform Cardano to connect internet users in the region with K3’s physical infrastructure.
Cardano provides the foundation for 3air’s native token (also called 3air) which is used to acquire all services on the 3air platform, including monthly subscriptions to internet and TV services, digital identities, staking, rewards, and loyalty system, and the referral system.
3air holders will also win governance rights over the direction of the platform, including a say on the allocation of funding. The team has also stated that the token will form the basis of future ideas and features that will revolutionize the way we connect. These include greater data access and the internet of things for governmental and maintenance functions, enabled by the platform’s open access and privacy features.
Currently, the 3air token is being used to fund current development, with the presale already open. A public sale will take place in November.
For more information regarding 3air’s token, visit their website here.
3air Leapfrogs africa’s internet connectivity into the future
Both current and future developments are aided by 3air’s strategically acquired partnerships. K3 Telecom is a Swiss technology provider with an international presence, including a location in Sierra Leone. Together with K3 Telecom, 3air is piloting the “Cable in the air” initiative to prove its concept of decentralized internet access in the West African country.
The team has also secured partnerships with IT TIM and CV Labs Dubai who will also contribute to the development of the physical infrastructure and software 3air is set to deploy. These partnerships are being supported by a stellar team with experience in the ISP world as well as building decentralized software solutions in the region.
Leveraging its team’s skills, its strategic partnerships, and the power of physical and decentralized technology, 3air aims to connect its first clients within 6 months and realize its vision of becoming the world’s first blockchain-based decentralized, permissionless ISP service platform.
Originally published here
Author
Chris Munch is a professional cryptocurrency and blockchain writer with a background in software businesses, and has been involved in marketing within the cryptocurrency space. With a passion for innovation, Chris brings a unique and insightful perspective to the world of crypto and blockchain. Chris has a deep understanding of the economic, psychological, marketing and financial forces that drive the crypto market, and has made a number of accurate calls of major shifts in market trends. He is constantly researching and studying the latest trends and technologies, ensuring that he is always up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry. Chris’ writing is characterized by his ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to a wide audience of readers.
