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World's first wireless community network (and the first
wireless broadband provider); also serves as an Internet users' group.
~250 members.
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Founded in 1993 in Laramie, Wyoming
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Incorporated as a 501(c)12 nonprofit mutual benefit society;
recently taken private to allow capital investment. Still operates on a
break-even basis.
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Initially "borrowed" bandwidth from the University of
Wyoming; eventually entered into a mutually beneficial relationship with
a regional ISP
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Backbone: Persoft 900 MHz DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum) wireless bridges using NCR WaveLAN.... Still in use to this day!
We've doubled the throughput to 4 Mbps with our own technology
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Not a "freenet;" rather, a "cheapnet." Members pay dues.
Sustainable model succeeds where purely free systems have failed.
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Provides inexpensive dial-up access ($5.15/month) and
high speed wireless and wired access (T1 speeds for $125/month)
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Has fostered the development and retention of high tech
businesses
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