Welcome to the Philly Community Wireless Docs!
Philly Community Wireless (PCW) is building community-controlled wireless internet networks in Philadelphia. We aim to provide a baseline of internet access for everyone, enhancing quality of life today and positioning communities for a more healthy and prosperous tomorrow. With the help of PhillyWisper, a pro-net neutrality, wireless internet service provider, we are actively installing internet throughout Kensington and Fairhill, in public and private areas of North Philadelphia. You can see our network's geographic scope on our webmap.
Our community wireless mesh network allows us to share Internet connections among a broader group of users with very little cost for the infrastructure. This docs page provides technical information and guides for individuals or organizations looking to contribute to or replicate elsewhere the organization's configuration and installation of routers and antennas for building a large-scale public wireless mesh network.
If you are looking for a non-technical overview of the project, or are interested in signing up for PCW coverage, please visit our homepage.
If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out at info@phillycommunitywireless.org.
Informational Resources
Overviews secondary resources on the problems of broadband access and digital inequity in urban cities like Philadelphia.
Hardware
Overviews the hardware necessary for the PCW project's infrastructure.
Installations
Covers the process for installing rooftop antennas as the foundation for the wireless mesh network and free public wifi.
Configuring Mesh AP
Guide to set-up a Unifi mesh AP that can be installed in any home in close proximity (half a neighborhood block) to a rooftop antenna host.
Configuring EdgeRouter X
Guide to set up the ERX router for installing points-of-presence at rooftop antenna.
Networking and Computer Configuration
Tutorials on how to set up your computer with a static IP, so you can configure the router and mesh-kit, and how to share your internet access with other computers.