Realizing Delay Tolerant Networking as access enabler: Services arising in new realms and the driving applications

Many locations are not within reach for the physical infrastructure of communications networks. This is a challenge for the Future Internet. One technology currently investigated as a possible enabler is Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN). It is a reasonable assumption that the applications that are the presently most used in the “normal” internet will continue to be of most importance also in hitherto not ICT covered areas. But, for local SMEs the rational may rather be development of specialized services, exploiting DTN technology to increase the efficiency and market potentials for their activities in remote locations. To achieve this, hardware and open source software are put together to form a node system that make up the DTN applications, custom built to the situation with focus on power management, routing schemes and custom made software based on user need. These nodes are tested with users in real life test beds, enabling internet connectivity to reach even further, without the need for new physical infrastructure.