Philly Community Wireless

Try and spot PCW’s Wi-Fi equipment amongst these frosty photos of Norris Square in the snow ❄️

If you wondered how a fixed wireless network handles snow storms… no problems! PCW maintained our usual high speeds even with the wind, snow, and sleet.

Community Broadband Networks as Sites for Learning YouTube video by Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Watch @alexwermercolan.bsky.social speak on how PCW and community broadband initiatives engage residents to help plan, build, and maintain digital infrastructure in their own neighborhoods. Check out the webinar with Benton Institute for Broadband and Society: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDwQ...

Check out the view from Lillian Marrero Library! Maintaining our network is a key part of what we do – even in winter! Community members who use our network can always reach out to us if you notice a change in service 🛜 phillycommunitywireless.org/contact/

Together with Technology Learning Collaborative, we’ve been co-hosting community discussions about internet access and digital resources with groups like Temple Gateway’s Digital Passport Ambassadors.

If you work with a local org and want to coordinate community event together, send us a DM! 📬

Upcoming volunteer events! Join us if you’re interested in networking, providing maintenance support to one of the oldest Black churches in Philadelphia, and supporting community members at the Power Up Tech Expo.

Want to come out but aren’t a PCW volunteer? DM us and we’ll get you more details!

Even with the cold, we’re still working on making free Wi-Fi available for all! PCW isn’t able to do rooftop installations in this weather, but we’re still doing maintenance, hosting events, and mapping out future network growth. Visit pa211.org for any emergency cold related resources.

Thanks to Emily from Philly Mesh for leading a special workshop on @meshtastic.org , and even donating a solar node setup to PCW so we can keep expanding mesh in Philadelphia! Interested in volunteering with PCW to do community-based networking in North Philly? Sign up via our linktree in our bio!

A successful Saturday install session with our volunteers and staff this past weekend, as we completed some outdoor Wi-Fi installation work at our new install site, First Stop Recovery, then celebrated a successful year of sessions in the neighborhood.

Hope to see you all in 2026! 🛜

Start 2026 off right by coming out to our Meshtastic 101 event this Saturday, January 10! A member of @phillymesh.net is hosting a workshop at our HQ, located at Norris Square Neighborhood Project in Norris Square. Lunch included, bring a friend!

✅ RSVP via DM.

Philly Community Wireless is the only free Wi-Fi service in North Philadelphia. We’re raising $3000 to purchase equipment needed to cover the Kensington Ave business corridor with our network.

Learn more on the impact your tax-deductible donation has: phillycommunitywireless.allyrafundraising.com

Project support provided by AARP with funding from @microsoft.com

We’re wrapping up our latest project at HACE’s Somerset Villas, a 99-unit residence for older adults! Free PCW Wi-Fi is now available inside and outside to all residents, staff, and visitors. Plus, we hosted 3 digital literacy workshops to support internet adoption and installed a PurpleAir monitor!

Community Broadband Networks as Sites for Learning Join us on December 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET for a webinar about community broadband networks as sites for learning. These networks invite community members to plan, build, and maintain broadband service, pa...

Join us tomorrow at 2pm for Benton Institute’s webinar on Community Broadband Networks as Sites for Learning! Our Executive Director @alexwermercolan.bsky.social will share how PCW makes it possible for community members to contribute to their local digital infrastructure.

tinyurl.com/m3bcmxnw

PCW Merch is here! Now you can grab your favorite PCW gear and show your support for community internet. All our items are screen-printed or embroidered locally. Get 15% off your first order with code NEW15 at checkout. See more in our Linktree.

As costs rise, free internet via Philly Community Wireless can save households $180-1,000/year. A $100 device brings PCW Wi‑Fi to hundreds as resident-hosted routers expand the network block by block! Every dollar funds equipment and staff involvement in our organization. Donate via our Linktree! 🎁🤝

PCW doesn’t just install Wi-Fi – we also set up PurpleAir monitors on our network in North Philadelphia! We’ve installed monitors across Norris Square & Fairhill at community orgs and residential homes. Thanks to the EPA Region 3 Sensor Loan Program for supplying us with 10 PurpleAir monitors!

All Philadelphians deserve access to the internet! Make your voice heard and help shape the City of Philadelphia's future planning and investments in internet access. Individuals, orgs, and businesses can take the city’s 2025 internet survey here: tinyurl.com/Philadelphia...

Install work at HACE CDC’s Somerset Villas has begun! Our team will be working this Fall to provide PCW Wi-Fi throughout the entire building and surrounding area. Thank you to HACE and AARP for the opportunity to expand our services and bring more internet access to Philadelphians in Fairhill.

Join us at TLC’s Annual Conference this Thursday! This event brings together organizations, community leaders, and others dedicated to digital equity to discuss solutions and best practices. PCW will be on a panel about community engagement at 10:15am. See www.tlcphilly.org for more info!

One of the most frequent questions we’re asked is how we can provide Wi-Fi to our community for FREE! We wouldn’t be where we are today without our partnership with ISP PhillyWisper, who donates bandwidth to us and helps us install fixed wireless radios. Check them out! phillywisper.net

TOMORROW starting at 12pm, join us at 2141 N Howard for a special Saturday event, open for all! For anyone interested in networking, homelabbing, how to block ads, and learning about our server set-up at HQ, this is for you! Lunch from a local spot provided. DM us to let us know if you’re coming 📥

Maintenance visit at HACE CDC’s Caribe complex: We stopped by to troubleshoot our Wi-Fi bridges, improving signal in the surrounding area! This past month, we’ve also welcomed back Francisco from Philly’s Urban Technology Project, who will be working with us as an apprentice all year.📡

Had an amazing time with Zion Baptist Church at their annual Community Day! As part of the Pyramid STEAM showcase geared towards youth, PCW set up ethernet crimping and hardware activity stations, handed out prizes like HDMI cables, and chatted with folks about PCW and our mission. 💜

Recent install in Kensington with volunteers and staff, expanding PCW’s network on the east side of Kensington Ave! Check out our live map at map.phillycommunitywireless.org to see where we’re currently located.

Help us expand internet access in Norris Square, Fairhill, and Kensington 💜🛜 No experience needed! Come join our team of everyday folks building community internet. Sign-up to volunteer with PCW through our “Volunteer Sign-up Form” in our linktree, and invite a friend!

Thanks to the Kensington Community Relief Fund, in partnership with the Scattergood Foundation, for granting us funds to continue expanding community internet connectivity in the Kensington, Harrowgate, and Fairhill neighborhoods! PCW looks forward to more time in an incredible area of the city.

Another successful community garden install supported by the William Penn Foundation! We set up an outdoor device at Emerald Wildflower Garden, providing Wi-Fi to the garden and Emerald St Community Farm across the street, and installed indoor Wi-Fi next door at The Perch Music & Arts Workshop.

Latoya shares why she thinks PCW's free public Wi-Fi matters 📶

How could free public internet change your life, or the lives of people around you?

Thanks to @whyy.org Education and their summer journalism program for featuring our work! Check out the whole video here: tinyurl.com/WHYYEduVideo

We are thrilled to receive a generous grant from AARP with funding support by Microsoft, helping PCW make internet accessible for older populations! The AARP Community Challenge serves to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. Learn more: AARP.org/Livable

We set up a building bridge connection between @nkcdc.bsky.social and a private residence to bring internet to Hart Lane Community Farm and its neighbors! Thanks to our volunteer, Mike, for bringing his drone which was able to capture the trajectory of our signal traveling between the two devices.