Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 8, 2026

Internet-in-a-Box

Internet-in-a-Box (IIAB) is a low-cost digital library, consisting of a wireless access point with storage, which users nearby can connect to. The hardware and software from which it is built has changed since 2012, as miniaturization of storage space and electronics progressed. As of 2017, its hardware often consists of a Raspberry Pi with a replaceable storage card.

Last revised
Aug 8, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗
Internet-in-a-Box
The 2017 set-up of an offline medical library. Anyone physically near to the device may connect to it and download the offline content it contains.

Internet-in-a-Box (IIAB) is a low-cost digital library, consisting of a wireless access point with storage, which users nearby can connect to.1 The hardware and software from which it is built has changed since 2012, as miniaturization of storage space and electronics progressed.2 As of 2017, its hardware often consists of a Raspberry Pi with a replaceable storage card.1

In 2016, Columbia University's Masters in Public Administration in Development Practice (MPA-DP) explored using these boxes in the Dominican Republic for three months.3

Distribution of devices assembled by Wiki Project Med Foundation via the Wikipedia Store began in 2024.4 It ships a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W with a 256 GB SD card, which contains all of English and Spanish Wikipedia, among other resources.4

Digital library

The digital library is composed of multiple modules; modules may be pre-installed, or users may choose which to install. Examples of modules include Wikipedia in a specific language, Wikipedia's Medical Encyclopedia, Khan Academy Lite, and OpenStreetMap.31 Other content includes Moodle, Nextcloud, MediaWiki, PhET (interactive mathematics and science simulations), TED Talks.5

History

The concept grew out of One Laptop per Child's school server project.1

  • QR Code to access IIAB device
    QR Code to access IIAB device
  • 2018 version with 3-D printed box
    2018 version with 3-D printed box
  • 2017 version of IIAB with medical content
    2017 version of IIAB with medical content
  • Video overview of efforts in Dominican Republic
  • Internet-in-a-Box 2019 version compared to passport
    Internet-in-a-Box 2019 version compared to passport
  • Video discussing the rollout of IIAB in Peru in 2018
  • IIAB in ESEAP Conference 2024
    IIAB in ESEAP Conference 2024
See also

See also

References

References

  1. Watkins, Don. "How to create an Internet-in-a-Box on a Raspberry Pi". Opensource.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  2. Gaskill, Braddock (2014). "Internet in a Box" (PDF).
  3. "Internet-in-a-Box: Connectivity for the Rest of the World". 13 June 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  4. Frauenfelder, Mark (1 August 2024). "Wikipedia's $58 gadget lets you access its entire library offline". Boing Boing. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  5. "How to create an Internet-in-a-Box on a Raspberry Pi". Opensource.com.
External links