Switching Internet to NYC Mesh

~~Proposed by: RC NOC - micro, (Ash?), (Myf?)~~

Proposal History

~~Submitted:~~Drafted by micro on 2026.10.08

Submitting for proposal by RC NOC (micro, Ash, Myf)

Motivation

NYC Mesh is more values aligned, arguably safer, definitely more moral than Verizon. This would also save us some money.

Proposal overview

We cancel Verizon, and start donating to NYC Mesh (I suggest 1/2 the price we were paying Verizon).

Details

Background

NYC Mesh is a volunteer run way to participate in the internet. Its non-corporate, doesn't wanna spy on us, and helps support our values by expanding affordable internet to our neighbors, like Future Space, who already use it.

Since August, the RidgewoodCommons wifi has been on NYC Mesh. There has been 1 incident where we switched back to Verizon while we worked on repairing a cable.

Who this affects

Affects coworking the most, but basically everyone who is in the space. We have made some small announcements of testing the network, changing things, letting people know 1-on-1.

Work required

Talk to whomever is paying Verizon, and have them call, cancel, return equipment.
Ask Finance to help us setup recurring donation to NYC Mesh.
Make sure people have a way to contact Mesh for any support needed.
Contact RC NOC to cleanup the equipment in the gym, and whatever else they need to do.

People doing the labor

There is an informal group called RC NOC made of 3 (soon 4) volunteers who have been maintaining it, and are happy to continue. The (one-time?) additional labour would be from Finance and whoever is on the contract for Verizon.

Money required

We would be saving money with this proposal, even after donating. We have been donated equipment, but having a small budget to improve the installation hardware (make it less in-the-way and more fun) or a small pizza party to celebrate, inform, and decorate (<$150) would be nice.

Proposals

Other options include moving to the lowest cost verizon plan as a backup, or just taking down the mesh completely. Or using mesh as a backup for verizon, but that seems like a waste.