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.