Community Networks have been depending since their inception on
modifying existing off-the-shelf routers to adapt them to their
particular needs. Software development that originated in
Community Network groups and the Free Software movement as a
whole, has pushed the barrier of innovation and helped
commercial enterprises develop new products over the years.
This virtuous relation between hardware vendors and the
community has been threatened by new regulation from the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) – U.S.A. – which has
led vendors to globally close up their routers to third party
modifications, hindering open innovation and effectively closing
the door to Community Networks in terms of access to the
hardware they depend on.
The Libre Router project designed and produced a high
performance multi-radio wireless router targeted at Community
Networks needs. Global South reality and that of Africa in
particular will be specially considered in terms of cost, power
consumption, respect for orality and legal viability.