[ogWiFi] Wireless access for a whole community...How to do it

[Sampson, David]

Hey Folks.

Been a while but I thought this might be something OGWIFI might be
interested in or could help with.

Computers for Communities (www.computersforcommunities.org) grew out of
the attempt to get a Free Geek Ottawa set up here in Ottawa.

Over the last year we have worked at ironing our the process of
receiving donated computers and getting our 30 volunteers to clean them
up, refurbish them and slap on a Linux distro.  These steps are pretty
solid (failing having a dedicated workshop). The last stage we are
working on is getting computers to those who can use them.

This has led to setting up community computer labs through our grants
program.  Essentially we work with an organization and a community to
get a computer lab up and going that benefits a community, not just
individuals. The offer up volunteers to learn how to maintain things and
we provide the tech support and training for the period of a year (to
the best of our current volunteer capacity)

We have one lab up and going and working on our second by September,
with a few other interested groups in the shadows.

One discussion we always have is concerning internet access, this we
have some partial solutions for including free dialup internet for some
groups and exploring other DSL options (most likely commercial) and
various creative ways to get funding.

The question is always about scale and sustainability. The more people
that get connected, the bigger bang for the effort.

So take this current scenario. 

We have a computer lab in a community centre. Someday we get high-speed
internet there. Then we mount an antenna to deliver Wi-Fi to the
surrounding community. That is the dream.

So what I am looking for are some ideas, resources or examples to copy
that will help this idea grow. Essentially I am looking to learn about
the cost of the infrastructure.

I know this is more than a wireless card in the back of a box. I imagine
even more then what a Linksys wrt54G would pump out.

I assume there are antennas that can boost the range and still stay
within the confines of the WIFI spec and not spill over into commercial
bands. Such high gain antennas as the ones found here
(http://www.whotspot.com/p_wifi.htm)

The keys are open source solutions, public/non-licensed air space, open
standards, non-proprietary solutions.

Perhaps one solution is each housing until has a repeater and then we
hard wire inside the structure.

Another solution might see wireless access for all residents

The second scenario is an apartment complex. We could get DSL and run
wires in an old infrastructure, but that would be cost prohibitive I
would imagine. So lets picture 4 floors and over 230 residences. I
assume this is unique as we are no longer talking a wood structure but
concrete and re-bar. Also not to mention Cable companies and phone
service providers that probably already pay to have their hard wired
infrastructure.

The goal is 10 communities hooked up to high speed internet, Wifi may be
part of the solution.

Because the residences would more than likely be the ones funding the
internet connection we would implement a captive portal to ensure only
the sponsoring community benefits (at least for the short term), so I
have been looking at wifi dog again, hosted on a box and not embedded in
a router.

Distances?

Lets say a 200m radius, we are not looking for 125 miles
(http://www.wifi-toys.com/wi-fi.php?a=articles&id=91)




Any thoughts and experience?

Cheers
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