SydneyNorg

Free Australia Wireless at Wireless World 2008

Free Australia Wireless, the community group promoting and supporting the creation of city-wide WiFi mesh networks, predominantly through the use of hardware from the Google-backed company Meraki in the US, just wrapped up the last day of their presence at the 2-day Wireless World 2008 convention and exhibition in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Free Australia Wireless was approached by Wireless World organisers several weeks ago and offered a free stall at the exhibition as well as two presentation slots; one in the exhibition area and one at the Wireless and Mobility Summit.

Representing Free Australia Wireless at the exhibition was Jean-Jacques "JJ" Halans, Matthew Hall, Alison Young, Ajay Ranipeta and Nathanael Boehm. Additionally, Mark Pesce gave a presentation titled "Everywhere" at the main speaking slot at the Wireless and Mobility Summit on the second day, while Nathanael gave a technical demonstration of installing and configuring Meraki devices at the exhibition on the first day.

We had a lot of interest in the Free Australia Wireless movement with around 200 fliers taken by interested exhibition visitors, and we spoke personally to most of those, explaining the project and the technology.

Several people were quite incredulous that we were a non-profit organisation ... in fact not even an organisation but simply representatives of the community involved with this project there at Wireless World 2008 on our own time. Lots of people were interested in being involved in the project with some even committing to participate in the next hardware bulk buy.

Lots of positive feedback, support and best wishes - which was really encouraging.

Also gained some valuable contacts with vendors, organisations and government bodies which we will be looking for opportunities to work with in the future.