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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.

Where to start

For antenna hosts

You are hosting a rooftop antenna, or considering it.

For volunteers

You are helping build and maintain the network.

Installations

Networking and device configuration

Solar

For network users

You are connected to a PCW network, or want to be.

Resources

  • Glossary
  • Further reading — secondary resources on broadband access and digital inequity in cities like Philadelphia

Get involved