ONE|NB Connects FAQ

What is ONE|NB Connects?

ONE|NB Connects is a program that provides free internet to a portion of the Olneyville community.

It is FREE and accessible from any device that has internet capabilities.

No requirements, no catch, no cost – we are doing this because we believe everyone deserves access to internet. 38% of Olneyville residents lack access to broadband internet, a crucial resource during the pandemic for work, health, and school. Log in and start browsing today!

How does ONE|NB Connects work?

ONE Neighborhood Builders has installed wireless routers throughout the neighborhood, onto the rooftops of buildings that ONE|NB owns, to allow coverage across a wide area. These routers connect to one another to form a wireless ‘mesh network.’ That network provides direct access to the internet without the intermediary of a commercial Internet Service Provider.

For now, the WiFi only works in a portion of the Olneyville neighborhood, but we recently expanded coverage and increased speeds in June 2022.

I already have WiFi at my house. Can I cancel it and use ONE|NB Connects instead?

ONE|NB Connects is not intended to be a replacement for homes that already have internet. This service is intended to provide free internet connection for homes that do not currently have internet access and provide them with a satisfactory WiFi experience.

May my children use ONE|NB Connects for distance learning while at home?

Yes! We hope that families will use this service to help connect for distance learning purposes. Children and families need—and deserve—reliable, high-speed WiFi!

How fast is it?

ONE|NB Connects has a 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload speed and an average latency of 200 milliseconds.

How do I log in?

  1. On your device, click on your WiFi icon and search for available networks
  2. Click on “OV Community WiFi – Free”
  3. Congratulations. You are connected!

What if I don’t see “OV Community WiFi – Free” as a Network option?

You are most likely outside of the range of the “OV Community WiFi – Free” mesh network.

Will you be monitoring my usage? Will you know what I watch/download?

No. We will not be monitoring what you look at or download.

ONE|NB will be monitoring speed and coverage—so we can constantly improve.

Is it secure?

When connecting to the network, you should use the same standard precautions as you would when connecting to any public WiFi, such as at a coffee shop or airport. Use https web sites for secure connections (most browsers do this by default nowadays), or use a VPN service.

What is the coverage zone?

The coverage will be strongest in the area bounded by Delaine Street, Amherst Street, Aleppo Street, and Manton Avenue. See below for the map of Hubs and Hop Equipment. We would love some help from residents to help us define the exact coverage area—let us know where it works for you by sending us this connectivity feedback form.

My WiFi connection is slow or down. What can I do?

Service disruptions are possible. Extreme weather—such as heavy rain, blizzards, and hail, for example—can decrease connection speeds because the weather affects the router’s wireless signal.

How many people can use WiFi at the same time in my house?

There will be no device limit per household.

Does ONE|NB Connects work inside and outside?

Yes. The ONE|NB Connects network will work both inside properties and outside.

Do you intend to expand the mesh to more of the neighborhood?

We hope to expand to the entire Olneyville neighborhood, but that expansion requires additional financial support to do so. The more people use the WiFi, the more we can fundraise for expanding the network, so using the network is the best first step. However, if you can directly contribute to closing the digital divide, please do so here. We also suggest a recurring monthly donation if you can.

Who do I have to thank for making this possible?

We have many generous friends, partners, and sponsors to thank for making ONE|NB Connects a reality.

Since ONE|NB Connects is an evolving project, expect this FAQ to grow exponentially as we learn! If you have questions not answered here, please email info@nullonenb.org so we may continue to improve this page.