Big thanks to our partner PhillyWisper, a local, independent ISP, for providing the backhaul infrastructure support for our network. Their ongoing tech support helps us build, and manage our community Wi-Fi network. Learn more about PhillyWisper on their website: www.phillywisper.net

Very cool project

Philly Community Wireless@phillywireless.bsky.social · 2mo ago

How does collaborative mapping support community Wi‑Fi? Street‑level imagery lets us map infrastructure for installs across the city. Through our use of Mapillary and OpenStreetMap @osmus.bsky.social , we’re micromapping areas like Norris Square Park to plan future work in our community.

Another install at Philly Bridge and Jawn: a new network link with Vizion Art Gallery is live! PB&J serves Kensington youth with after‑school cooking and education around nutrition, and we hope to continue building our network for their youth. Interested in partnering with PCW? DM us! 📨

Watch our webinar with Technology Learning Collaborative: “Internet Landscapes: Pathways to Expanding Public & Community Internet” — now on YouTube. Learn about our community internet model, resources for action in your own community, and how to get involved with PCW. Link in our Linktree! 📶

Neighbors maintain a free broadband network in Philadelphia — @phillywireless.bsky.social — that now serves 7,600+ users. Read about the six-year project to build community-supported infrastructure in the latest Debates in DH volume from @uminnpress.bsky.social cdh.princeton.edu/blog/2026/06...

New Publication Details Cooperative Broadband and Community-Supported Infrastructure

New Publication Details Cooperative Broadband and Community-Supported Infrastructure

cdh.princeton.edu

From Wermer-Colan, Wythoff, Gomez, & Washington’s Ch 8 (“Alternative Infrastructures for Digital Equity: Community-Based Internet Access”) in Critical Infrastructure Studies & DH, dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/critica... @phillywireless.bsky.social @princetoncdh.bsky.social @uminnpress.bsky.social

Take a look at our work done at The Simple Way, where we built out free Wi-Fi access throughout their building and into the surrounding neighborhood. Interested in finding a simple way to connect to free, community-controlled internet in your org? DM us or email @ info@phillycommunitywireless.org.

How does collaborative mapping support community Wi‑Fi? Street‑level imagery lets us map infrastructure for installs across the city. Through our use of Mapillary and OpenStreetMap @osmus.bsky.social , we’re micromapping areas like Norris Square Park to plan future work in our community.

We went back to Camden to support Camden FireWorks improving their existing internet with an added Wi-Fi network, plus installing indoor/outdoor PurpleAir monitors! Beyond providing no-cost internet, we also support nonprofits with technical consulting. Interested in learning more? DM or email us!

Join us tomorrow from 4-5:30pm for our @phillytechweek.bsky.social event with TLC! Located at Tech Impact's space in City Center, it’s the perfect chance to learn more about how PCW works and meet folks working locally in tech, digital equity, and more. 📩 To register, visit: luma.com/jpnn4cjx

Building Community Wifi · Luma

Learn about how Philly Community Wireless is building free community-controlled wireless internet networks in Philadelphia, and how you can get…

luma.com

We had a great time tabling at the @tudigitalscholars.bsky.social Electronics Faire along with other local organizations! This year’s theme focused on the technical aspects of repairing electronic media and looking at ways in which technology can contribute to collective, interpersonal repair.📡🛜

In Fairhill, we added a mesh node to boost PCW’s signal in a residence. Mesh nodes help expand the network coverage without adding a LiteBeam, a wireless radio that establishes a source of internet connection at a location. Check out our map in our linktree to see where we’ve used this set up!

Together with Ben Saracco of Rowan University, we helped build out the IDEA Center’s Wi-Fi in Camden! If your organization needs Wi-Fi or other technical support and is interested in our consulting services, reach out to us at info@phillycommunitywireless.org.

Try and spot PCW’s Wi-Fi equipment amongst these frosty photos of Norris Square in the snow ❄️ If you wondered how a fixed wireless network handles snow storms… no problems! PCW maintained our usual high speeds even with the wind, snow, and sleet.

Watch @alexwermercolan.bsky.social speak on how PCW and community broadband initiatives engage residents to help plan, build, and maintain digital infrastructure in their own neighborhoods. Check out the webinar with Benton Institute for Broadband and Society: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDwQ...

Community Broadband Networks as Sites for Learning

YouTube video by Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

youtube.com

Check out the view from Lillian Marrero Library! Maintaining our network is a key part of what we do – even in winter! Community members who use our network can always reach out to us if you notice a change in service 🛜 phillycommunitywireless.org/contact/

Together with Technology Learning Collaborative, we’ve been co-hosting community discussions about internet access and digital resources with groups like Temple Gateway’s Digital Passport Ambassadors. If you work with a local org and want to coordinate community event together, send us a DM! 📬

Upcoming volunteer events! Join us if you’re interested in networking, providing maintenance support to one of the oldest Black churches in Philadelphia, and supporting community members at the Power Up Tech Expo. Want to come out but aren’t a PCW volunteer? DM us and we’ll get you more details!

Even with the cold, we’re still working on making free Wi-Fi available for all! PCW isn’t able to do rooftop installations in this weather, but we’re still doing maintenance, hosting events, and mapping out future network growth. Visit pa211.org for any emergency cold related resources.

Thanks to Emily from Philly Mesh for leading a special workshop on @meshtastic.org , and even donating a solar node setup to PCW so we can keep expanding mesh in Philadelphia! Interested in volunteering with PCW to do community-based networking in North Philly? Sign up via our linktree in our bio!

A successful Saturday install session with our volunteers and staff this past weekend, as we completed some outdoor Wi-Fi installation work at our new install site, First Stop Recovery, then celebrated a successful year of sessions in the neighborhood. Hope to see you all in 2026! 🛜

Start 2026 off right by coming out to our Meshtastic 101 event this Saturday, January 10! A member of @phillymesh.net is hosting a workshop at our HQ, located at Norris Square Neighborhood Project in Norris Square. Lunch included, bring a friend! ✅ RSVP via DM.

Philly Community Wireless is the only free Wi-Fi service in North Philadelphia. We’re raising $3000 to purchase equipment needed to cover the Kensington Ave business corridor with our network. Learn more on the impact your tax-deductible donation has: phillycommunitywireless.allyrafundraising.com

We’re wrapping up our latest project at HACE’s Somerset Villas, a 99-unit residence for older adults! Free PCW Wi-Fi is now available inside and outside to all residents, staff, and visitors. Plus, we hosted 3 digital literacy workshops to support internet adoption and installed a PurpleAir monitor!

Join us tomorrow at 2pm for Benton Institute’s webinar on Community Broadband Networks as Sites for Learning! Our Executive Director @alexwermercolan.bsky.social will share how PCW makes it possible for community members to contribute to their local digital infrastructure. tinyurl.com/m3bcmxnw

Community Broadband Networks as Sites for Learning

Join us on December 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET for a webinar about community broadband networks as sites for learning. These networks invite community members to plan, build, and maintain broadband service, pa...

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PCW Merch is here! Now you can grab your favorite PCW gear and show your support for community internet. All our items are screen-printed or embroidered locally. Get 15% off your first order with code NEW15 at checkout. See more in our Linktree.

As costs rise, free internet via Philly Community Wireless can save households $180-1,000/year. A $100 device brings PCW Wi‑Fi to hundreds as resident-hosted routers expand the network block by block! Every dollar funds equipment and staff involvement in our organization. Donate via our Linktree! 🎁🤝

PCW doesn’t just install Wi-Fi – we also set up PurpleAir monitors on our network in North Philadelphia! We’ve installed monitors across Norris Square & Fairhill at community orgs and residential homes. Thanks to the EPA Region 3 Sensor Loan Program for supplying us with 10 PurpleAir monitors!

All Philadelphians deserve access to the internet! Make your voice heard and help shape the City of Philadelphia's future planning and investments in internet access. Individuals, orgs, and businesses can take the city’s 2025 internet survey here: tinyurl.com/Philadelphia...

Install work at HACE CDC’s Somerset Villas has begun! Our team will be working this Fall to provide PCW Wi-Fi throughout the entire building and surrounding area. Thank you to HACE and AARP for the opportunity to expand our services and bring more internet access to Philadelphians in Fairhill.