[seibelj]

You must agree that open source software and physical hardware installed on buildings powering a critical service are different things? The ISPs have enormous labor forces that are represented by telecom unions, this is an extremely regulated heavily subsidized industry. Open source software has nothing to do with this.

[simfree]

http://guifi.net has worked for well over a decade, providing monthly fee free internet connectivity to tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Spain.

NYC Mesh's model isn't groundbreaking, rather it is set up like Guifi.net to encourage other small businesses to crop up supporting individuals who want to join the network.