THE CHEAPEST THING IN NEW YORK

In the quickly evolving world of the Internet, NYCWireless is something of a throwback. During the early months and years of this new medium, many envisioned the Web's nearly boundless potential, championing a medium that could democratize the world and bind people together. While the potential still exists, this line of thinking has been quieted by the Internet's commercialization.

Not so with those at NYCWireless. An all-volunteer organization consisting largely of technophiles, NYCWireless was founded on the idea that the Web has tangible civic benefits that should be brought to the public. Members operate free wireless LANs based on 802.11b Wi-Fi technology. The group has so far set up some 60 networks in parks, coffee shops and other public spaces, each covering about a half-block radius.

“In terms of urban spaces, it transforms what can be done,” said Anthony Townsend, a co-founder of NYCWireless. Townsend contends that by increasing the functionality of a public space, the city becomes a better place to live. On warm, sunny days, for example, a lot of New Yorkers work outside, so providing a wireless broadband connection in parks would make it even easier for people to set up shop.

Founded a little more than a year ago, NYCWireless got its inspiration from companies like Boingo Wireless and Wayport, which set up wireless access networks in spaces like hotels and airports. NYCWireless wanted to allow the same functionality without charging for it. By providing free broadband access to these areas, the organization hopes to claim the spaces as no-charge access points for the long-term. If a free wireless broadband network is set up in a park, Townsend said, perhaps service providers won't try to set up pay networks in the same area.

In addition, NYCWireless is setting out to create a wireless IP backbone through the city to bring broadband to “underserved areas,” loosely defined as neighborhoods where consumer-grade services are unavailable. Not surprisingly, many of these are the city's poorer areas, including public housing developments. While the project is still in its early stages, NYCWireless intends to acquire bandwidth either through donation or purchase. Using directional antennas to establish a point-to-point architecture, the bandwidth will be redirected to data-starved areas and will be made available to homes and schools.

In addition, since Sept. 11, NYCWireless has begun to view this backbone as an alternative network in an emergency should the infrastructure belonging to the carriers be affected. According to Townsend, carrier infrastructure isn't being sufficiently modified during repairs to handle another crisis. “They're rebuilding the same network they had before in Manhattan,” he said. “Rather than relying on them, we want to do something ourselves.”