Rich MacKinnon, Founder, Less Networks

Rich MacKinnon brings new meaning to the phrase “free enterprise.” First he founded the Austin City Wireless Project, a non-profit that provides free Wi-Fi access across the Texas capital. When plans for a citywide interconnect network were stymied by the cost of commercial software, MacKinnon created his own solution and made it available gratis. Now his newest venture, Less Networks, lets users in Austin or anywhere else in the world provide and access their own free Wi-Fi services without investing a cent.

“The Austin City Wireless Project needed a technology partner to help it reach its goals,” MacKinnon said. “It doesn’t get better than giving them software and services. In exchange, we have this group of people who are eager to use it and provide valuable product development feedback.”

Would-be hot spots simply load the Less software onto a PC, which is transformed into a dedicated gateway positioned between the access point and the broadband modem, MacKinnon said. The only stipulation Less makes is that no money exchanges hands.

“Our slogan is ‘Free to users, free to venues,’” MacKinnon said. “We hope that eventually, other user groups and enthusiasts--even commercial WISPs--will go, ‘Hey, these guys have a pretty good solution. The price is right, and it does everything you need it to do, so why not take it and run with it?’”

MacKinnon’s ultimate goal is to cobble together the world’s largest network of free Wi-Fi hot spots, with the expectation that once many users are on board, content partners will come calling. As of late 2003, the Less network boasted about 3000 users, with 16 hot spots spread across Austin.

“We’ve been contacted by a church and the state capital, and there’s even rumor of a topless bar going online,” MacKinnon said. “When a network brings churchgoers and topless bar patrons all in one spot, then things get really interesting.” --Jason Ankeny