Althea

Incentivized mesh networks.

More than a hotspot Althea isn’t just a new way to pay for wifi at coffee shops and airports. It’s a system of software that will let communities set up decentralized ISPs. Users purchase internet service and equipment owners are automatically compensated for their contributions to the network.

A cure for monopolies Each Althea node is constantly looking for the cheapest and best source of (cryptographically verified) bandwidth, and can switch connectivity providers in seconds. This creates a competitive, decentralized marketplace instead of a single provider.

Private and neutral by default VPN tunnels are a core part of Althea’s design. Operators of networking equipment in an Althea network can never see a user’s browsing history, or discriminate between types of content. How it works

1. End users load up their device or wifi router with blockchain tokens to pay for internet access.
2. A mesh of rooftop transmitters forward packets. They earn tokens and compete to provide service.
3. Uplinks act as gateways to the internet, also earning tokens, competing with other uplinks in the area.