A drone image from above showing 5 people on a rowhome roof, 4 people working on a small structure with an access point device.

About PCW

Our Mission

Our mission is to bridge the digital divide by building large-scale and no-cost Wi-Fi networks in private and public spaces of underserved Philadelphia neighborhoods. We aim to provide a baseline of internet access for everyone, enhancing quality of life today and positioning communities for a more healthy and prosperous tomorrow.
PCW Volunteers posing for a group photo on the roof of NSNP.

Our Vision

Philly Community Wireless was formed in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that highlighted the need for robust public resources and internet access. Our work focuses on building our network and larger community to provide free internet access and support internet adoption in areas of North Philadelphia where research has consistently shown the least amount of digital access.

We envision a just future where everyone can meaningfully access the internet, regardless of their income or housing situation. We believe in establishing a baseline of internet access for all that does not seek to solely provide every “house” or “home” with its own, separate Wi-Fi network, but rather spreads Wi-Fi access across large areas of a city. This approach offers a viable alternative to the existing paradigm of privatized internet access and shows what shared internet service provisioning can make possible in a major urban setting.

Our Values

We believe that access to the Internet is a fundamental human right and that independent, community-owned and -operated wireless is a sustainable and scaleable means of digital inclusion.

We support net neutrality principles and believe that the Internet should be provided free of throttling, zero-rating, and the tracking and monetization of user behavior.

We affirm that people matter more than profit and that the principles of cooperation and mutual aid can grow a fundamentally different kind of digital network.

We commit to starting small, learning from our mistakes, and inviting the input and perspectives of teachers, organizers, users, and technologists alike in building this network.

Watch Our Documentary Trailer (2022):

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