Routing Protocols in Wireless Community Networks

This research article investigates the routing protocols utilized in Wireless Community Networks (WCNs) over the past decade. It evaluates the strengths and limitations of these protocols to assess their effectiveness and reliability in establishing optimal routing paths for end-to-end message delivery. The paper outlines the significance of WCNs in providing internet access to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas where traditional internet service providers are absent. It discusses the decentralized nature of WCNs and their potential to support various applications, including telemedicine and electronic governance. The study also presents recommendations for future research directions aimed at addressing unresolved challenges related to WCN routing protocols. The paper is structured into several sections, detailing the global landscape of WCNs, a taxonomy of routing protocols, and a thorough discussion on security and privacy aspects, concluding with proposed future work directions. The findings aim to contribute to the ongoing discourse on enhancing connectivity in underprivileged regions through effective routing solutions.