Over several years, locally-initiated and operated Internet infrastructure projects have attempted to provide online connectivity and simultaneously achieve various social goals. Many generations of do-it-yourself network efforts that are either wireless, such as community mesh networks, or wired, such as fiber cooperatives, exist, but in the United States scaled developments have been stalled for a variety of reasons. This research examines the history of local connectivity efforts as well as technologies designed to cultivate sharing or commons organizational approaches. By exploring instances of community-based or -oriented networking efforts, we identify some of the noneconomic benefits that might be realized with certain technologies and organizational and governance structures. Technological, social, regulatory and economic logics that have shaped historical opportunities for local responses to connectivity needs in the U.S. are not necessarily inevitable; alternative approaches do exist. Improved social and technical outcomes for connectivity may be possible, especially when catalyzed by supportive policies.

几年来，本地发起和运营的互联网基础设施项目试图提供在线连接并同时实现各种社会目标。存在许多代自己动手的网络工作，无论是无线的（例如社区网状网络）还是有线的（例如光纤合作社），但在美国，由于各种原因，规模化的发展停滞不前。这项研究考察了本地连接工作的历史以及旨在培养共享或公用组织方法的技术。通过探索基于社区或面向社区的网络工作实例，我们确定了某些技术以及组织和治理结构可能实现的一些非经济利益。技术、社会、为当地应对美国连通性需求创造历史机遇的监管和经济逻辑不一定是不可避免的；确实存在替代方法。改善互联互通的社会和技术成果是可能的，尤其是在支持性政策的推动下。