Comment Working model (Score 1) 168
Our network is build and operated by a foundation with volonteers in a co-operative model. We try to keep the network operations non-commercial, but seek co-operation with commercial entities in services (Internet) and publicity and development. The network is free to be used by anybody. Hence we don't do any authentication, billing and other boring business stuff.
We aim at fixed-wireless usage; Out users are people at home, small business, not-for-profit organisations and schools.
Our network is financed throug the sponsoring of nodes, mainly by the site-owners (sponsor the powerusage as well); about $1500 per node. Through this model we don't have any recurring costs (the DLS lines are sponsored as well) and all investmest are written off immediately.
I talk with a lot of other cities and villages; killer steps IMHO:
start with an IP plan
financing by gouvernment in stead of users
focus on technical challenges.
The succes of your project depends on the focus on organisation. All the technical issues can be copied from others (all our work is documented and released in open source), the work that needs to be done locally can only be organised and steered by YOU!
The local gouvernment is supportive and starts to get interested now that new small business emerge and people get employment through their activities for Wireless Leiden. We are moulding these small startups into a consortium that does development of special wireless applications and YES they also build commercial wifi networks in other cities for $$$.
