similar sneaker-net approaches:

Similar Sneakernet projects

Information Without Borders - Sneakernet routing software project (GNU free open-source software). Code is available. The description says that people meet at random and trasnfer files, so emails can takes days or weeks. The OLPC Sneakernet can control how long messages take, because the couriers would work to an agreed schedule.

Wikipedia says – “The charity relief organization Information Without Borders is attempting to implement a sneakernet routing protocol for providing cheap Internet access to developing and post-conflict regions using donated PDAs and mobile phones”.

Alternative data-services for remote areas

• Data delivery by Radio – Radio and broadcast
• Wi-Fi enabled motorbike - Motoman Article and Discussion pages.
• Mobile Access Points / Wi-Fi Vehicles - First Mile Solutions - DakNet. They provide a service with data delivery by Mobile Access Points; Wi-Fi enabled motorbikes and buses. They visit villages and transfer data to/from Wi-Fi enabled kiosks. Local people use the kiosks for email, SMS, voicemail, web searches, and other local products and services. The villagers can buy and sell products (medicines, craft-items, seeds, fertilizers, books, cosmetics, music) through the kiosks. The goods are delivered to them on the same vehicles as the data. The website has a good range of DakNet articles and .PDF files which explain the social-background and advantages/disadvantages of real-time versus delayed file delivery services in rural areas (store-and-forward systems). This social-enterprise company was set up by people from MIT to provide low-cost data services, at prices as low as $1 per user per month. ‘Dak’ is a Hindi word for ‘Post’ or ‘Postal’.
• 2003 MIT article about First Mile Solutions DakNet (.pdf), including the prices and economics of the service (cost of installation, cost per email, etc).
• Diagram of DakNet
• United Villages Their website says "United Villages provides villagers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America with a digital identity and access to locally-relevant products and services using our low-cost, store-and-forward "drive-by WiFi" technology. Our Mobile Access Points (MAPs) are installed on existing vehicles (e.g. buses and motorcycles) and automatically provide access for WiFi-enabled Kiosks along the roads."