I quit my career in 2016 to chase a plan that could make high speed Internet access affordable for all. In 2022 that effort crashed. This is my story. — I am writing this for entrepreneurs in developing countries who are thinking about solving hard problems and chasing the proverbial “moonshot”. The plan: use a robot (see below) to wrap a fiber optic cable on overhead medium voltage power lines and finance the network under a cost based pricing structure…

Today I took oath to become a U.S. citizen and in doing so, renounced my allegiance to the state of Pakistan. At 13, I was certain I’d join the Pakistan Army because my dad and brother were both in the Army. But then the Internet happened. The Internet helped me…

The short answer: Smart contracts on blockchain make revenue share contracts possible between stakeholders of a broadband network. Revenue share contracts reduce the amount of risk capital required to build and operate a broadband network. Reducing dependence on risk capital makes it feasible for stakeholders to absorb demand risk. Demand…

NetEquity Networks and Althea Networks have entered into a strategic partnership to finance, build and operate last-mile broadband networks. Our first project will be in rural Nebraska where we will leverage the fiber optic network owned by OPTK Networks (“OPTK”). To finance this network, we will use Althea’s system to…

“If you put shame in a Petri dish, it needs three things to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence and judgment” — Brene Brown — I turned 38 last week. A well meaning post by an uncle of mine reminded me of the worst years of my life. I am the youngest of three brothers and was reminded every day by people close to me that I was not a manly man. The popular narrative…

NetEquity’s mission is to make high speed Internet access affordable for every human within a decade. We believe the best way to accomplish our mission is by building an open access fiber network in every country. A fiber optic cable has virtually unlimited capacity which implies that it has negligible…

How to keep stakeholders on the same page in times of exponential change — Board members have a duty to keep themselves informed about matters put before them for decision. This duty cannot be complied with unless board members have relevant material upon which to base their decisions. …

Why is half the world unable to access the Internet? — 1. Internet access: coverage ≠ connectivity

Four days from now an unprecedented event will take place in Italy… — The breakup of an incumbent telecom carrier driven by market forces and not anti trust regulations 1. What is meant by “market forces”? There is money to be made in buying stocks of telecom carriers (like Telecom Italia) at prevailing stock prices, selling their assets and distributing the resulting cash proceeds to stock holders. …