How to build a Free Access Point Service

A Freenet is a group of wireless access point operators working together who share the dream of nationwide free access to the Internet. An individual wireless Internet service provider (WISP) may be a school, a building owner, a coffee shop, or a small business.

Freenets face several technical and policy issues (many shared with Community Access Point Services that want to charge for access):

• How to build a free wireless access point (How many windows can you see?).
• How to connect an access point to other APs "downstream."
• How to connect an access point to others "upstream."
• Who ultimately pays for data transferred to/from the Internet.
• How to standardize and share technology with other "MANs."
• How to manage users (and abusers).
• How to publicize hot spots.
• An easy login procedure for end users.
• What mapping software to use.
• What community software to use (wiki, slash-alikes).
• Security policy and technology (WEP is weak).
• Privacy policy (will operators snoop?).

How to set up your wireless access point (WAP).

The core idea of a Freenet is that you may not have your own Internet access connection or point of presence (POP). You must have a wireless connection upstream to someone who has a POP. And you should also want to connect downstream to provide Internet access to others. So who ultimately pays the bill to connect to an Internet backbone?

Once you have a WAP working, you will need a point-to-point bridge and a directional antenna to connect to your upstream provider. This consists of a second WAP on a different channel operating in bridge mode (normally the WAP operates in infrastructure mode). So you must own two WAP devices. To provide access downstream you will need additional devices.

Point-to-point bridges operate over a long distance so they require highly directional antennas, generally at both ends of the connection.

Some MANs offer convenient lists of "hot spots" and even a zoomable map. See NYC Wireless Maps and National Hot Spot Lists or NetStumbler.com

Seattle Wireless has drafted a hierarchical naming scheme of classifying the access points in a network. It should describe where they are in the network (AxNode - at the root POP with multiple downstream directional antennas, BxNode - along one branch with upstream/downstream directional antennas and an access point, CxNode - a leaf with one upstream antenna and an access point for end users, and DxNode - an access point wannabee with no upstream connection).

What does all this cost?

• An access point ($150-$900) with an omnidirectional antenna ($100) or multiple sector antennas ($180 each, $40 for cables).
• One bridge ($150-$900) with a directional antenna ($200 - $500) and possibly a bi-directional ampifier ($400).
• AxNode with downstream bridges - 2 bridges ($700 - $3600), - 5 bridges ($1750 - $9000).
• BxNode with upstream/downstream bridges and omni/access point ($850 - $3750).
• CxNode with upstream bridge and omni/access point ($470 - $1200).

There are many Free Networks using WiFi (802.11 wireless technology) to share Internet Access among their users. Freenetworks.org offers mailing lists, the latest news in the press, and new online community software.

The Personal Telco Project, Wireless Anarchy, and Boston Area Wireless Internet Alliance also maintain large lists of free networks around the world.

Slashdot has a valuable discussion on building a wireless network for an apartment complex.

skyCAPS are Community Access Point Services based on a mix of technology, hardware, and software for management, monitoring, and billing recommended by skyCAPS.net, a subsidiary of skyBuilders.com.