AirJaldi is a social enterprise dedicated to the development of affordable broadband connectivity solutions for rural communities in developing countries. AirJaldi consists of two related organizations: AirJaldi.org, a non-profit organization which performs applied research and knowledge dissemenation via training programs and conferences, and AirJaldi.net, which operates networks commercially.
AirJaldi develops and implements innovative F/OSS-based technological solutions which enable the creation of robust and viable networks that provide high quality broadband internet access and related services. The AirJaldi networks make use of small-size, low power nodes mounted on low masts and are characterized by a very low ecological footprint and ability to operate under the most demanding environmental conditions.
AirJaldi built one of the largest rural WiFi networks in the world — the Dharamsala Wireless Mesh Network as a community network for The Tibetan Technology Center (TibTec). The network interconnects over 2,000 computers in a difficult mountainous terrain within a radius of 70 kilometres (43 mi) around Dharamsala, a town located in the Himalayan region of northern India, which is also the center of the Tibetan community in exile.
AirJaldi works in close cooperation the with the Tibetan Children's Villages Schools (TCV) who host AirJaldi's India office at their campus in Dharamsala.
The first AirJaldi Summit, held on 22–25 October, 2006, focused on ways in which wireless solutions can be used to provide affordable Internet access to rural communities, and the contribution of these networks to local livelihoods, quality of education, governance and health-care, and sustaining local cultures.
Following the summit, the World Summits on Free Information Infrastructure Association lead a two-week workshop on various aspects of wireless technologies, aimed at providing hands-on training for conference participants and the public at large.