Community Wireless Networks, Globally and in Boston - Part 1

Presented at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society, March 24th, 2009

Brian Worobey and Gabriel Fishman of openairboston.net and Aaron Kaplan of Funkfeuer Austria present a new approach to building citywide WiFi networks from the bottom up, utilizing open-source mesh networking protocols and relying on volunteers from the community. In Europe, a number of communities, such as Vienna, Berlin and Athens, have used this model to create massive community-owned networks. Locally, openairboston.net, a non-profit organization formed by recommendation of Mayor Menino's Wireless Task Force, is building a similar network in the Fenway and Mission Hill neighborhoods.

This talk briefly describes the history of community wireless networks, as well as their technical aspects and the current status of openairboston.net's efforts. The talk then focuses on the political and social implications of these networks.

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/node/5154

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• wifi
• municipal wireless
• community wireless
• Boston
• openairboston
• mesh networking
• open mesh
• Berkman Center