Details
The Mesh Potato combines the features of an 802.11bg WiFi router with an Analog telephone Adaptor (ATA). Each Mesh Potato provides a single fixed telephone line to the end user, and is connected to other Mesh Potatoes via a mesh Wifi network. Mesh Potatoes automatically configure themselves to build a mesh Wifi network, greatly extending the range of the network over regular WiFi.
Mesh Potatoes have been carefully engineered to be robust to developing world environmental conditions (e.g. accidental abuse, weather, static damage, poor electricity supply) and are designed for low power consumption (about 2W idle).
The firmware is based on OpenWRT and can be configured in minutes using a simple Web GUI or even from a telephone using IVR menus. B.A.T.M.A.N. is used for mesh routing and each Mesh Potato runs Asterisk with a custom FXS port channel driver.
The Qty 1 Mesh Potato price is comparable to other outdoor router plus ATA combinations that are closed source, consume much more power, are not engineered for developing world conditions, and provide none of the Village Telco ecology (e.g. community support, billing system and server software, and social mission). Operating profits will be reinvested in Village Telco and Mesh Potato support, maintenance, and development. Contact us for volume pricing.
Buying a Mesh Potato helps the Village Telco.
The Mesh Potato is custom hardware specifically designed for developing world telephony. Open hardware, developed by an open source community, for an open telephony system!
For complete features and specifications, please consult the About page for the Mesh Potato.
