Free wireless community networks, also known as Wireless User Groups (WUG), continue to grow in most major cities in South Africa. These wireless networks now span large parts of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein.<\/p>\n
These wireless networks are typically used for file sharing, online gaming and Voice-over-IP services, and since everything, apart from the initial equipment cost, is free it provides a bandwidth rich environment for many bandwidth starved high-end consumers in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The Johannesburg and Pretoria wireless networks which peer is expected to exceed 500 connected nodes soon, making it the largest network of its kind in South Africa. The Pretoria Wireless User Group (PTAWUG) has shown very fast growth with 250 new users joining the network in a single year.<\/p>\n
Apart from freely giving their time and expertise to build and maintain the wireless networks, the wuggers are also developing and providing networking tools free of charge to the community. Well known WUG members Froztbyte and RoDent have released Linux solutions for Neotel and MyWireless broadband services while more of these developments are in the pipeline.<\/p>\n
Recently select operators have showed interest in these community networks, and are considering potential peering agreements to give the community network members access to services on their network. Such partnerships are still a way off, but it is telling that larger network operators are starting to take note of this community network and the potential advantage it can bring to them.<\/p>\n
Users interested in joining one of the wireless networks are encouraged to visit the wug.za.net website which provides a central point where people can obtain wireless community network information.<\/p>\n