Diseño de un ISP comunitario de bajo costo para el sector Palmitopamba

Abstract

Abstract:This thesis aims to design a low-cost community Internet Service Provider (ISP) for the Palmitopamba sector, a rural community located in the northwestern region of Ecuador that currently faces significant limitations in digital connectivity. In rural areas like Palmitopamba, the lack of Internet access represents a major digital divide, restricting access to information and hindering the community s economic development. This study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative tools. Through questionnaires, direct observation, and document analysis, relevant data was collected about the social, economic, and technical conditions of the environment. This perspective greatly helped us truly understand what the local residents actually needed. It allowed us to develop a connectivity solution that genuinely fits their day-to-day reality. Based on the information gathered, we propose something feasible and realistic: establishing a community-managed Internet provider (a community ISP). The idea is to use Starlink satellite technology, installing it at the community center to serve as the main access point. From there, the service would be distributed to households using point-to-multipoint wireless links with low-cost equipment. This proposal aims not only to improve Internet access but also to do so in a sustainable way, with active participation from the community. The design is expected to significantly reduce the digital divide in Palmitopamba and serve as a replicable model for other rural areas in the country.