Wireless user group

A Wireless User Group (WUG) is a Wireless community network run by enthusiasts. Most run off the shelf Wi-Fi hardware communicating in the license free ISM bands 2.4 GHz/5.8 GHz. Some do not provide Internet access, but are mainly used to participate in Internet games while avoiding data charges from the landline internet providers.^[1] Others do provide Internet access, as with the SoCalFreeNet, a group of 802.11 enthusiasts that provides low income communities in California with free wireless access.^[2]

The term Wireless User Group may also be used to describe an organization that helps exchange information about wireless networking. Important in the developed world, the subject is of critical importance in countries where there is no landline infrastructure.

Sample Enthusiast Groups

• The Cape Town Wireless User Group (CTWUG), Pretoria Wireless User Group (PTAWUG), the Durban Wireless User Group (DWCWUG) and the Johannesburg Wireless User Group (JAWUG) are a South African wireless community networks that provide city-wide free IP communications to its user community for non-profit use, with about 1600 members.^[3]

• The Twin Cities Wireless User Group has the goal of creating a stand-alone, free, high-speed network in the Twin Cities in the USA.^[4]

• El Proyecto Inalámbrico in Santiago, Chile uses low-cost wireless technology to distribute high-quality digital videos to schools.^[5]

• WaFreeNet is a community project to form a free wireless network in Western Australia supporting text, voice and video communications, sharing open source material and multiplayer gaming.^[6]

There are many more enthusiast groups around the world exploring the technology and its applications (See List of wireless community networks by region).

Sample Organizations

• The Toronto Wireless User Group is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 that is focused on the wireless and mobile industries, with about 3000 members, that runs free seminars on wireless and mobile technology.^[7]

• The Bay Area Wireless Users Group (BAWUG) was founded in 2000 to promote wireless use for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, but does not seem to be active now.^[8]

• Wug.za.net is a South African community based site geared toward a community based wireless network world.^[9]

• The Tamale Wireless Administrators’ User Group in Ghana is a group for updating and sharing knowledge in skills in wireless networking, and promoting wireless networking as an alternative means of deploying internet access to deprived communities in the Northern Ghana.^[10]

References