A Rural Implementation of a 52 Node Mixed Wireless Mesh Network in Macha, Zambia Jonathan Backens 1 , Gregory Mweemba 2 , and Gertjan van Stam 3 1 Old Dominion University, Norfolk VA 23529, USA, jback006@odu.edu 2 LinkNet, Macha, Zambia gregory.mweemba@link.net.zm www.link.net.zm 3 Macha Works, Macha, Zambia gertjan.vanstam@machaworks.org www.machaworks.org Abstract. In spite of increasing international and academic attention, there remains many challenges facing real world implementations of de- veloping technologies. There has been considerable hype behind Wire- less Mesh Networking as the ubiquitous solution for rural ICT in the developing world. In this paper, we present the real world rural mesh network implementation in the village of Macha, Zambia and draw both performance conclusions as well as overall experiential conclusions. The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze our low cost solution and extrapolate future trends for rural ICT implementations in Zambia. Key words: Wireless Mesh Network, Rural ICT, Implementation Test Case 1 Introduction The community owned and run LinkNet Multipurpose Cooperative Society ser- vices the rural community of Macha, Zambia with innovative communication technology and locally trained talent [8]. Since inception its model for connect- ing rural Zambia with ICT services has been to empower the local community to run and maintain a locally built, locally maintained and locally managed inter- net infrastructure based on wireless communication technologies. Utilizing only local talent and supplies, the Macha Network has provided not only a powerful and inspiring local ICT project, but has laid the foundation for a comprehensive test bed for other rural implementations. This real world solution consisting of a network of 52 Mesh Nodes and 99 total active wireless service providing devices remains one of the largest locally run rural networks in Africa. In order to understand the conditions of Macha Zambia and a bit of the demands for ICT, it is important to consider the overall environment. Zambia as a country is the 17th lowest country on the UNDP’s Human Development Index [3]. It consists primarily of agricultural workers with an average income