Minitrack Introduction

The goal of Community Wireless Networks (CWN) for Development minitrack is to address the impact of the emerging community (municipal) wireless systems on social and economic development in today´s society. Community wireless systems represent a community-driven solution that provides affordable or free ubiquitous broadband wireless access to all community members. Such networks take advantage of the free frequency, the increasing enhancement of wireless standards, and the social capital in the society. Social capital, in this context, includes donations, academic expertise, open source software, recycled equipment, location hosting, and voluntary work. These systems have grown to complement the internet service provided by telecommunication companies and a supplement of the government efforts to integrate the digital revolution in all aspects of everyday life. However, developing such local connectivity solutions have raised many technical, social, economic, and legal issues.