What?

Wireless Oxford is promoting the concept of a "wireless mesh" of small, low power wireless access points throughout the entire built up area of Oxford. Every home, workplace, public space, school and community centre should be within reach of an access point, enabling people to access broadband internet, internet based telephony and other services for a simple, low subscription.

Premium services, allowing secured access for business applications, perhaps higher speed access, and content services will be additional and will help fund the overall costs of the project.

Furthermore, we recognize that many people are not online at all at the moment, simply because they lack the funds to acquire suitable equipment. Part of the "social profit" of the project will be to assist such people, community groups or businesses to get the equipment and training cheaply and many will qualify for assistance with subscription fees. We don't want anyone left out who wants to participate in the communications revolution to come but who can't just because they can't afford it!

We firmly believe that access to the cornucopia of information and opportunities available online will help such people economically. Apart from the unmatched access to information, public services, knowledge and entertainment, one can make great savings on all sorts of things, from holidays to credit cards through online deals and at the moment, the very households who could benefit most from saving a little bit here and there are excluded from doing so just because they can't access the technology because of cost.