Why are you sponsoring a free Ypsilanti network?
Why not?
By creating a free, community network, Ypsilanti is able to further distinguish itself from the rest of the area as the premier place to live and work in southeastern Michigan. Free wireless internet access can make a significant impact on attracting new residents, businesses, and visitors, providing a competetive advantage over surrounding communities.
We believe access to the internet should be free to anyone in Ypsilanti regardless of economic status.
What's the catch? Is this really free?
Absolutely. There is no charge to people who use Wireless Ypsi, and access will always be free.
Can I get this in my neighborhood?
We have decided to first roll this out downtown and then in Depot Town. We are first going to involve local merchants. Then we will work on getting this into the neighborhoods.
You can take a look at our coverage area HERE.
So how does this network work?
The network is based on the Meraki network being implemented in San Francisco, CA. Repeaters located throughout the target areas communicate wirelessly with one another. Each repeater can provide internet access even if it's not directly plugged into an internet connection. Because it's self-meshing, the network is smart enough to sustain itself.
Can I rely on this network?
Yes. The network is built on a sustainable model of shared access. Even though the technology is solid, the network ultimately relies on community involvement in order to be successful. That's why we are working with members of the business community.
There are already thousands of Meraki networks around the world. Redundancy is built directly into the network. This is what makes the network more reliable. If a repeater goes down, the network knows how to re-route traffic.
How fast is this network?
It's broadband. We are looking to get average speeds of one megabit per second. That's fast enough to handle streaming video. We must make the disclaimer that we aren't guaranteeing anything. Network speeds will be determined by the number of simultaneous users, the number of people contributing bandwidth, and the strength of the wireless signal.
Who's paying for all of this?
So far, we are. But that doesn't mean we are too proud to accept donations.
We have a supply of repeaters that we are going to use to seed the network. We are going to get them out to key locations first. After that, we're going to rely on you. The key word here is community. The network becomes better as more and more people are plugged into it sharing bandwidth.
I want to help. What do I need to do?
The first thing you are going to need is a repeater. You can buy them directly from Meraki HERE. We are building this network using the standard edition Meraki repeater. The indoor repeater costs $49 with the outdoor model running $99.
Once you get your repeater, you'll have to register it with the network in order for it to begin communicating. The best way to do that is to give us a call at 734.482.9682 or drop us an eMAIL. We'll take it from there.
Do I have to have internet access for this to work?
No. That's the point. All you have to do is plug the repeater into an outlet. If you already have an internet connection, however, you can help make the network stronger by sharing your bandwidth. Since this is an entirely separate network, it won't interfere with your existing one. More importantly, it won't compromise your current network's security. The network will be just as secure as the one at Bombadill's or Pub 13.
Remember, this is about community participation. The more community involvement, the better the network will become.
Can I cancel my internet service?
You could, but we wouldn't recommend it.
We are not an ISP. We do not guarantee service. The network is based upon a sustainable model of shared bandwidth. If you aren't sharing your bandwidth, you become dependent on the bandwidth of your neighbors.
How do I connect to the network?
To connect, just look for the Wireless Ypsi signal under your computer's list of wireless access points.
Have any additional technical questions?
Check out our questions and answers on the network page for more information.