Business Model

WasabiNet is working to incorporate as a non-profit 501.c(3) corporation so that it may continue to use grant funding to help bridge the Digital Divide.

In addition, WasabiNet seeks to form a subscriber-owned co-op, in the style of a Utility Co-operative. The primary benefit of such an organization is that "profits are either reinvested for infrastructure or distributed to members in the form of 'patronage' or 'capital credits,' which are essentially dividends paid on a member's investment into the cooperative," to quote Wikipedia.

That is, subscription fees for the wifi service could go directly sustaining the service without overhead or markup, keeping them low, and to an additional fund to support future upgrades to better or faster infrastructure.

We are working to develop these sources of revenue to sustain the operation and maintenance of the mesh service:

• Paid subscriptions from regular mesh users, both residential and small business
• Advertising revenue from the Captive Portal webpage

We believe this co-op model, in conjunction with the very low-cost and low-maintenance Mesh Node Wifi technology we employ, would allow WasabiNet to provide its users broadband Internet access in way that is sustainable, economical, and adaptable to future needs.

Furthermore, advertising and local community information on the Portal webpage will help promote stronger bonds, both social and economical, within the Benton Park West neighborhood.