IP: Communal Broadband

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
>
>  Communal Broadband
>
> Sharing high-speed Internet access via wireless networks is growing in 
> popularity, but some liken it to stealing cable TV.
>
> By David Stevenson, Tech Live
> January 3, 2002
> <http://www.techtv.com/news/internet/story/0,24195,3366659,00.html>
>
> Across America, community-based wireless networks are springing up aimed 
> at giving the public anytime, anywhere Internet access.
>
> One prominent example is in New York, where NYCWireless has created about 
> 25 free access "nodes" for New Yorkers on the go. Co-founder Anthony 
> Townsend, an urban planner, says his group has purely altruistic motives.
>
> "It's a very loosely knit group of individuals that are interested in 
> giving something back to the community that they live in," Townsend said. 
> "So, by sharing out their broadband connection with their people in their 
> neighborhood, they feel that they're providing a public good."
>
> The goal is to use inexpensive, existing technologies -- primarily 
> 802.11b, or Wi-Fi -- to get the public online. NYCWireless members 
> purchase a business-grade DSL or cable modem connection (about $60 per 
> month), which is then linked to wireless gateways like Apple's AirPort or 
> Lucent's OriNoco (about $200). In return, co-op members are essentially 
> able to operate a personal CLEC (competitive local exchange carrier) at no 
> cost to the public (though donations are certainly welcomed).
>
> Nearly 3,000 miles away at San Francisco State University, professor 
> Sameer Verma is marrying Wi-Fi to cheap, unconventional equipment in order 
> to link students to the business school's Ethernet.
>
> "We used to have access through Ricochet, but once they stopped, we didn't 
> have any other option, other than using dialup," Verma said. "And we 
> figured we could probably connect these two buildings using wireless with 
> just a point-to-point connection, but it needs an antenna to extend it 
> that far."
>
> His solution? Pringles potato chip cans, which he's testing as portable 
> antennas. He found the blueprints on a website touting the wonders of 
> Wi-Fi as an easy fix for those who want to be online everywhere.
>
> Still, it's a far from flawless technology. Distance and landscaping can 
> degrade Wi-Fi signals. The spectrum is also subject to interference from 
> devices like microwave ovens or cordless phones.
>
> <snip>

For archives see:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/