Setting up free wifi downtown?

[G5Unit]

I have been thinking about this for a while, yet I don't know how to get started. I really want to set up free wifi in the downtown area of where I live. It would pretty much just be a few square miles with no buildings taller than 2 stories.

The reason for it is because the only area where there is free wifi is in a smoke shop, not the best place to browse the net. And all of the other areas are pay to use.

Now my question is, what would I have to do to get the sponsorships and start up money to begin my project? Would I have to get a permit? It just really feel like paying back to my community.

Suggestions?

 

[zap2]

Ohh...I don't even know were to start that...it would be a HUGE undertaking. Who would pay for it(start up costs? and monthly fees?)...plus you'd need lots of routers, as noone router is strong enough to power all that area

 

[EricNau]

A few square miles? The startup costs for such a WiFi network will be very high, and it definitely won't be low maintenance. ...You'll need some very powerful (and expensive) equipment to support such a large area. Plus, you'll also need to figure out how to place the APs throughout the downtown area.

And you will need to talk with your ISP to set up a proper account (which will be much more expensive than any standard account).

Do you have any experience in creating and maintaining very large networks?

 

[G5Unit]

A few square miles? The startup costs for such a WiFi network will be very high, and it definitely won't be low maintenance. ...You'll need some very powerful (and expensive) equipment to support such a large area. Plus, you'll also need to figure out how to place the APs throughout the downtown area.

And you will need to talk with your ISP to set up a proper account (which will be much more expensive than any standard account).

Do you have any experience in creating and maintaining very large networks?

I suppose I could start small, maybe only the main street and a few on the side. I most I have set up is a network around the house, which consists of 3 wireless routers, a switch, and sometimes up to 6 computers.

But what I really want to do is propose the idea and get sponsorships from local businesses. Maybe if I put the router their shops, and the people using the wifi would get little adverts from that certain shop on sales or deals they are having at the moment.

 

[Coolnat2004]

Maybe you should ask local businesses if they can set up free wifi hotspots on their own. You could see if an ISP is willing to sponsor it. I know that my ISP provides some kind of sponsorship for businesses that set up hotspots with the ISP's name mentioned.