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Wireless community network

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Wireless community networks are the largely hobbyist-led development of interlinked computer networks using wireless LAN technologies, taking advantage of the recent development of cheap, standardised 802.11b (Wi-Fi) devices to build growing clusters of linked, citywide networks. Some are being used to link to the wider Internet, particularly where individuals can obtain unmetered ADSL and/or cable modem internet connections at fixed costs and share them with friends. Where such access is unavailable or expensive, they can act as a low-cost partial alternative, as the only cost is the fixed cost of the equipment.

Such projects started to evolve in 2000 with the availability of 802.11 equipment, and are gradually spreading to cities and towns around the world. As of mid-2002, most such networks remain embryonic, with small groups of people experimenting and gradually interconnecting with each other and thus expanding the domain and utility of the networks.

These projects are in many senses an evolution of amateur radio and, more specifically packet radio, as well as an outgrowth of the free software community (which in itself substantially overlaps with amateur radio), and share their freewheeling, experimental, adaptable culture. The key to using standard wireless networking devices designed for short-range use for multi-kilometre linkups is the use of high-gain antennas. Commercially-available examples are relatively expensive and not that readily available, so much experimentation has gone into homebuilt antenna construction. One striking design is the cantenna, which performs better than many commercial antenna designs and is constructed from a steel food can.

Most wireless community network projects are coordinated by citywide user groups who freely share information and help using the Internet. They often spring up as a grassroots movement offering free, anonymous Internet access to anyone with WiFi capability. FreeNetworks.org (http://freenetworks.org/) is a project attempting to bring together diverse community projects from all over the world.

Some wireless community network projects are:

Table of contents
1 Community networks by region

1.1 North America
1.2 Europe
1.3 Australia & New Zealand

1.3.1 SA
1.3.2 Victoria
1.3.3 New South Wales
1.3.4 Queenslnd
1.3.5 ACT
1.3.6 Western Australia
1.3.7 Tasmania
1.3.8 New Zealand

1.4 Africa

2 External links
3 See also

Community networks by region

North America

Europe

Australia & New Zealand

SA

Victoria

New South Wales

Queenslnd


ACT

Western Australia




Tasmania


New Zealand

Africa

External links

See also

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This page was last modified 08:12, 24 Sep 2004.
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