Guifi.net
Encyclopedia
guifi.net is a free, open and neutral, mostly wireless
telecommunications community network, with over 21.400 nodes, of which more than 14.000 are operational, about 18.400 km of wireless links. The majority of these nodes are located in Catalonia (Spain
) but the network is growing in other parts of the world. It is the largest wireless network community
in the world. The network is self-organized and operated by the users using unlicensed wireless links and open optical links.
The nodes of the network
are contributed by individuals, companies and administrations that freely connect to a true open network of telecommunications and extend the network wherever the infrastructure
and content might not otherwise be accessible. Nodes join the network following the self-provision model since the whole structure is explicitly open to facilitate understanding how it is structured, the links, so everyone can create new sections as required.
guifi.net is supported by the guifi.net Foundation, which has been registered as an operator with the spanish Telecommunications Market Commission (CMT) since in April 2009. In August 2009, started the first deployment of optical fiber, the "FFTF" (Fiber From The Farms) Broadband Initiative, about 2 km, linking a dozen of farms and farmhouses in the town of Gurb
.
Since early 2011, guifi.net is connected to the Catalonia Neutral Internet Exchange Point (CATNIX), which exchanges data with other international telecommunications operators such as Cogent Communications
and Hurricane Electric
. This Internet connection is used by several associations that offer their members Internet access to low-cost at high speeds, which currently do not offer other Internet service providers
.
.
Wireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
telecommunications community network, with over 21.400 nodes, of which more than 14.000 are operational, about 18.400 km of wireless links. The majority of these nodes are located in Catalonia (Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
) but the network is growing in other parts of the world. It is the largest wireless network community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
in the world. The network is self-organized and operated by the users using unlicensed wireless links and open optical links.
The nodes of the network
Telecommunications network
A telecommunications network is a collection of terminals, links and nodes which connect together to enable telecommunication between users of the terminals. Networks may use circuit switching or message switching. Each terminal in the network must have a unique address so messages or connections...
are contributed by individuals, companies and administrations that freely connect to a true open network of telecommunications and extend the network wherever the infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
and content might not otherwise be accessible. Nodes join the network following the self-provision model since the whole structure is explicitly open to facilitate understanding how it is structured, the links, so everyone can create new sections as required.
guifi.net is supported by the guifi.net Foundation, which has been registered as an operator with the spanish Telecommunications Market Commission (CMT) since in April 2009. In August 2009, started the first deployment of optical fiber, the "FFTF" (Fiber From The Farms) Broadband Initiative, about 2 km, linking a dozen of farms and farmhouses in the town of Gurb
Gurb
Gurb is a municipality in the comarca of Osona inCatalonia, Spain.-References:* Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria . Guia de Catalunya, Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-01-3 . ISBN 84-87135-02-1 ....
.
Since early 2011, guifi.net is connected to the Catalonia Neutral Internet Exchange Point (CATNIX), which exchanges data with other international telecommunications operators such as Cogent Communications
Cogent Communications
Cogent Communications is a multinational internet service provider whose network spans more than 53,300 intercity fiber route miles and 15,800 metro fiber miles. Cogent provides service in over 165 markets across 31 countries in North America and Europe...
and Hurricane Electric
Hurricane Electric
Hurricane Electric is a global Internet backbone , with a specific focus on IPv6. Hurricane Electric operates datacenters in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily within the city of Fremont...
. This Internet connection is used by several associations that offer their members Internet access to low-cost at high speeds, which currently do not offer other Internet service providers
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
.
Basic Principles
The basic principles of operation are based on the Wireless Commons LicenseWireless Commons License
The Wireless Commons License describes the principles, terms and conditions for many libre and open wireless community networks. In summary it gives the right to use the network for any purpose unless you affect the operation of the network or the freedom of other users, the right to know and learn...
.