In this episode, Duncan McLeod is joined on an Internet call by Bjorn Dingemans, founder and CEO of BlockMesh, a Somerset West-based start-up that wants to create what it calls “the world’s first decentralised, cost-free communications network”.

BlockMesh, which ran an initial coin offering earlier this year to raise capital, even plans to pay its users in a cryptocurrency called mesh tokens just for using the technology.

The company, which plans to sell key ring-sized hardware devices that utilise low low-frequency spectrum and cut out traditional cellular networks and create city-wide mesh infrastructures, intends focusing on the broad African market, where communication is often unaffordable and where existing networks are sometimes poorly developed.

In the podcast, Dingemans explains how the technology works and why it’s been tied to a cryptocurrency. The plan is to allow users easily to cash out their mesh tokens into fiat currency. BlockMesh hopes to have its first devices on sale later this year, and to make them available via retail partners and via its own online shop.

Dingemans also talks about BlockMesh’s planned application programming interface for developers, its plan to integrate advertising into the platform (users will be able to opt in or out of this), and how it is applying security rules to keep users safe.

It’s a fascinating local start-up and a great discussion. Don’t miss it!