---
title: Community Networks
date: 2025-12-27
summary: Community-owned internet infrastructure—mesh networks, cooperatives, and municipal broadband. When communities own their connectivity, they bridge the digital divide on their own terms.
draft: True
featureImageCaption: "Photo by [NASA](https://unsplash.com/@nasa) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/Q1p7bh3SHj8) (Unsplash License)"
---

What if your internet connection belonged to your community rather than a distant corporation?

Community networks are telecommunications infrastructure built, owned, and operated by local communities. They represent a grassroots approach to connectivity where residents, cooperatives, municipalities, or nonprofits take control of their own internet access.

In a world where connectivity is essential infrastructure, community networks offer an alternative to dependence on corporations whose priorities may not align with community needs.

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## Why This Matters

### The Digital Divide

Approximately 21-42 million Americans lack access to broadband internet. Even where broadband exists, many cannot afford it—internet costs in the US are among the highest in developed nations.

Commercial ISPs systematically underinvest in areas deemed "unprofitable": rural communities, low-income neighborhoods, communities of color. Studies show ISPs practice digital redlining even within cities they serve.

The result: essential infrastructure distributed by profit motive rather than community need.

### Why Local Control Matters

**Accountability**: Community-owned networks answer to residents, not shareholders.

**Reinvestment**: Revenue stays local rather than flowing to distant corporate headquarters.

**Responsive service**: Local operators understand and prioritize community needs.

**Democratic governance**: Community members have voice in decisions about their infrastructure.

**Digital equity**: Community networks can prioritize underserved populations that commercial providers ignore.

**Resilience**: Local control means communities aren't dependent on corporate decisions.

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## How Community Networks Work

### Mesh Networks

Decentralized networks where each node connects to multiple others. Data "hops" between nodes to reach its destination—no single point of failure.

**Advantages**: Low cost to expand, resilient to failures, community members become active participants.

### Cooperatives

Member-owned organizations where users are also owners. Democratic governance, surplus reinvested in network or returned to members.

### Municipal Broadband

City or county government builds and operates internet infrastructure. Can offer service directly or lease infrastructure to providers.

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## Real-World Examples

### Guifi.net (Catalonia, Spain)

One of the world's largest community networks, founded in 2004 when commercial providers ignored rural Catalonia.

**Scale**: 35,000+ active nodes across Catalonia and beyond.

**How it works**: Combines wireless links, fiber optic, and other technologies. Operates under a "commons" model—any individual or organization can connect and extend the network. Democratic, transparent governance.

**Impact**: Proved community networks can operate at massive scale. Recognized by European Commission as model for digital inclusion.

**Philosophy**: "The network belongs to everyone who builds it."

### NYC Mesh (New York City)

Volunteer-run community mesh network serving New York City, operating on a "pay what you can" model.

**Scale**: 1,000+ active nodes across all five boroughs, serving thousands of New Yorkers.

**How it works**: Supernodes on tall buildings connect to internet exchange points. Point-to-point wireless distributes connectivity to neighborhood hubs. Volunteers install equipment on rooftops and in apartments.

**Impact**: Provided free internet to public housing residents during COVID-19. Maintained connectivity when commercial providers failed during Hurricane Sandy and the pandemic.

### Detroit Community Technology Project

Founded in 2015, focusing on digital equity and community self-determination in a city where commercial providers had systematically disinvested.

**Programs**:
- **Equitable Internet Initiative**: Trains "Digital Stewards" to build and maintain neighborhood wireless networks
- **Digital Stewards Program**: 20-week training creating community leaders
- **DiscoTech Events**: Community gatherings exploring technology and digital justice

**Impact**: Trained 100+ Digital Stewards, built networks serving thousands, created a replicable model adopted nationwide.

**Philosophy**: "We believe that communication is a fundamental human right."

### The Broader Movement

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance tracks 900+ community broadband networks in the US. Their research shows:
- Community networks consistently deliver faster speeds at lower prices
- Municipal networks outperform private ISPs on customer satisfaction
- Claims that municipal broadband "always fails" are demonstrably false

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## Organizations and Resources

| Organization | Description |
|:-------------|:------------|
| [Guifi.net](https://guifi.net) | World's largest community network. Model for commons-based infrastructure. <br><small>📊 35,000+ nodes in Catalonia and beyond.</small> |
| [NYC Mesh](https://www.nycmesh.net) | Volunteer-run mesh network serving New York City. <br><small>📊 1,000+ nodes across all five boroughs.</small> |
| [Detroit Community Technology Project](https://detroitcommunitytech.org) | Digital equity organization training community technology leaders. <br><small>📊 100+ Digital Stewards trained.</small> |
| [MuniNetworks / ILSR](https://muninetworks.org) | Research and advocacy for community broadband. Tracks 900+ networks. <br><small>📊 Comprehensive database of US community networks.</small> |

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## Arguments for Community Ownership

### The Economic Argument

Community networks typically offer faster speeds at 20-50% lower prices. Local ownership keeps money circulating in the community. Creates local jobs and builds local technical capacity.

### The Equity Argument

Commercial ISPs created the digital divide through profit-driven decisions. Only community ownership can ensure universal, equitable access. Digital equity requires community control, not just connectivity.

### The Resilience Argument

Distributed, community-controlled networks are more resilient to disasters. Local operators respond quickly to local needs. Communities aren't dependent on corporate decisions.

### The Democracy Argument

Who controls infrastructure shapes who has power. Community ownership means community governance. Technology should serve communities, not extract from them.

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## Challenges

**Legal barriers**: 18+ states have laws restricting municipal broadband, largely written by incumbent ISP lobbyists.

**Financial challenges**: Significant upfront capital required. Competition from well-funded incumbents.

**Political opposition**: Incumbent ISPs lobby aggressively. Misinformation campaigns claim municipal broadband "always fails."

**Technical challenges**: Requires expertise that may not exist locally. Ongoing maintenance needs.

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## The Bigger Picture

Community networks are part of a larger movement for community-owned infrastructure. They connect to platform cooperatives, community land trusts, and other solidarity economy initiatives.

The principle is consistent: essential infrastructure should be controlled by the communities that depend on it, not by corporations optimizing for shareholder returns.

The tools exist. The models are proven. Communities around the world are already doing this.

Connectivity is too important to leave to the market. Communities can—and are—building their own.
