Decentralized Internet Providers
Description
Commons Economy Roadmap:
"The emerging international network of communities, small to medium internet service providers (ISPs) and blockchain-based protocols like Althea Network, with the goal of decentralizing the provision of internet services. This multitude is moved by a mix of traditional economic incentives, needs to be addressed and ethical values."
Example
Discussion
Systemic Factors favoring the emergence and flourishing of DIP
Giulio Quarta and Simone Robutti:
- While on one side Ecological Collapse is creating scarcities and surges in prices, especially in technology components, it is also true that [**prices are decreasing for basic hardware**](https://www.sourcengine.com/blog/semiconductor-industry-news), which favors DIP proliferation in poorer areas (*and we remind here that Althea Network is hardware agnostic!*).
- **Many alternatives to traditional connectivity technologies are emerging** ([Wi-Fi HaLow](https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-halow), [LPWAN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-power_wide-area_network) and, of course, [Mesh Networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network)!) which progressively make it easier for any kind of local context to find fitting solutions for their problems and technical constraints.
- As DIP protocols like Althea Network offer CIP opportunities to decentralize parts of their infrastructure, we foresee a growing trend toward this shift. Economic incentives drive this transition, as **decentralization opens governance and revenue-sharing opportunities** to a broader range of stakeholders, enhancing profitability and efficiency. This shift would demonstrates to both the providers and the public that a decentralized approach not only makes economic sense but also favours a more equitable and efficient internet. If all this holds true, eventually, it would become evident that maintaining Centralized Internet Providers is merely an obstacle to achieving a superior and more inclusive internet infrastructure."