Philly Community Wireless

What does it take to expand public and community internet access in ways that are local, sustainable, and community-led?

Join us and Philly Community Wireless this Thursday, June 18th on zoom for Internet Landscapes: Pathways to Expanding Public and Community Internet.

This virtual session will go beyond PCW’s internet service model to explore different approaches to community-led internet service and how groups are thinking about bringing these models to their own municipalities.

Register to join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/h1_qwVXeThOq-VEe-opexw #/registration

We went back to Camden to provide technical support down at Camden FireWorks, where we improved their current internet service by expanding its Wi-Fi both indoors and outdoors! Together with Ben Saracco, a PCW volunteer and Librarian at Rowan University, we added a new set of indoor and outdoor PurpleAir monitors.

Though our efforts primarily focus on installing no-cost internet in North Philadelphia, we also provide tech consulting to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area. If you’re an organization in need of tech support, DM us or email us at [email protected]!

We had a great time tabling at the Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio Electronics Faire along with organizations like Iffy Books, Philly Mesh, PhillyCAM, and Glub Glub Labs! This year’s theme focused on the technical aspects of repairing electronic media and looking at ways in which technology can contribute to community, collective, and interpersonal repair 📡🛜.

We recently set up a “mesh node” in Fairhill, helping a resident get free Wi-Fi connectivity in their home! Mesh nodes are what allow us to expand the network coverage without adding a LiteBeam, a wireless radio that establishes a new source of internet connection at a specific location.

Think about it like a Wi-Fi extender: we set up a wireless access point that “meshes” with a nearby install hub, helping expand the Wi-Fi over distance without needing to install another LiteBeam. Mesh nodes are great for locations that have some existing Philly Community Wireless connectivity, but could use a signal boost!

Check out our live network map in our linktree and toggle the “mesh node” icon to see everywhere we’ve used this set up to spread our Wi-Fi!

PCW’s direct service area is in the Norris Square, Fairhill, and Kensington neighborhoods, but we’ve recently started consulting with nonprofits throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, including Camden! Thanks to Ben Saracco, a PCW volunteer and Librarian at Rowan University, we built out Wi-Fi at the IDEA Center for the Arts both inside and outside, helping improve their connectivity throughout their space. Ben also set up two PurpleAir monitors to better understand air pollution along Market St in Camden.

PCW aims to support community internet and tech needs in churches, libraries, and other nonprofits across Philadelphia. If you are an organization who is looking for help improving your paid internet service or have questions about the consulting we do, please send us an email at [email protected] ! 🛜