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The Virginia WiFi Company is a not-for-profit Wireless_mesh_network initiative that plans to cover various communities throughout the state of Virginia with respective regional networks.
The Virginia WiFi Company, labeled as a “community access network” or CAN initiative, is a community-driven effort to provide cost-effective (priced between $15.00 to $30.00 per month, depending on location and regional network policies) high-speed Internet access to state residents and businesses with the aid of regional/local community volunteers and supporters.
Have more questions, i.e. how to access, etc.? Check out our FAQ page.
Based on Open-Mesh wireless equipment, the Virginia WiFi Company wireless infrastructure is a state-wide self-healing mesh network based on regional deployments which will eventually be capable of supporting hundreds if not thousands of users across the entire state via hundreds of strategically located gateways. A “gateway” is defined as a piece of equipment that shares high-speed Internet access, such as a business-class DSL circuit or T1 line, with Virginia WiFi Company users via their respective regional networks. Gateways typically have line-of-sight with each other not only help to further expand the network’s footprint but aid in the ever growing speed increase with the addition of every new gateway.
A regular "user node" is simply an extension of a regional network’s infrastructure but without its own Internet connection. User nodes, like gateways, may connect to each other but typically speed is affected and can eventually stop to a standstill unless one or more gateways are added to the mix. It is not recommended that user nodes are more than four hops from gateways. This is why gateways are so critical to the overall operations of the network; not only are they crucial for network redundancy, i.e. if a gateway goes down, other gateways will pick up the traffic but for overall network speed and performance as well. Note: if currently have an Internet connection you’d like to share as a gateway, you might be eligible for free access to your regional network partner’s network. Check with your regional network partner for more details as each partner has their own set of guidelines.
Simple, really. You can sign-up via your regional network's website and receive free access or pay a nominal monthly fee (depending on the regional network’s pricing structure; typically $15.00 to $35.00 per month) which will probably be less than what you’re already paying for cable modem or DSL service.
Finally, you could offer additional services such as helping to establish a regional network, volunteering to install nodes, helping to keep this website up to date and friendly, providing support to users, etc. After all, this is a community-driven effort!
