This chapter provides an overview of the topic of community wireless networks and infrastructures. In particular, it compares community wireless networks to municipal and commercial wireless networks. It also provides a brief account of the social and economic benefits of CWNs.

Community wireless networks (CWNs) have emerged as collective actions where communities develop common telecommunication infrastructure for their use. These collective projects have gained widespread popularity as they serve as digital highways for community members to join the information society. This paper explores the role of CWNs in achieving digital inclusion. In particular, we used a survey-based instrument to measure the size and the capacity of a number of networks. We also explored other related variables such as service pricing, funding instruments and the life duration of the investigated CWNs to distinguish them from similar networks. This study provides useful theoretical accounts and analytical insights that we believe that can guide future studies and advance CWNs as a form of common projects. Also, it has the pote4ntial to help policy makers and community developers in promoting such collective projects.

at Omaha. Abdelaal is one of the founders of the Omaha Wireless Group. He has published more than a dozen of papers on the social and economic issues of community wireless networks in international academic conferences and journals. In addition, he managed and participated in a number of Information Technology for Development (IT4D) projects.

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Community Wireless Networks (CWNs) not only provide free or affordable Internet access but also facilitate human capital formation. They facilitate human capital accumulation by serving as a venue for brokering knowledge, providing training and enhancing access to information. Previous literature, mostly case studies, shows that CWNs support schools, improve healthcare, provide training and facilitate access to information. However, this literature does not treat these outcomes as sources of human capital. A survey instrument is used to collect evidence on how CWNs facilitate human capital formation. The data shows that CWNs serve as venues for enhancing formal and informal education, providing access to information, facilitating training and brokering knowledge among participants. We provide some conceptual details, methodical insights and policy implications in order to construct this research stream and promote CWNs as engines for economic progress.