PERILS IN THE COMMON GOOD.

The article presents information about an extensive study on the community-oriented wireless commons. In the wireless arena, several community-oriented wireless commons are emerging in parallel to provide wireless access to community members and create alternate wireless broadband networks. Wireless commons are based on the notion that each commons participants allow other participants to access the Internet through his or her wireless local area networks (WLANs) hotspot. In a wireless commons, therefore, the user is both a provider and a consumer of wireless. This emergent, organic growth approach depends on the commitment and contributions of participants willing to share their WLANs with others. Closed commons are made up of a specified group of user members. These groups are characterized by shared understanding, common history, written rules, and accepted norms for resource utilization and sanctions for violators. Open commons are formed by communities and enthusiasts with the objective of providing bandwidth resources free of charge to the general public.