NYC Mesh is a volunteer-run community broadband network based in New York City, United States. The organisation says its aim is to help close the digital divide by providing reliable, high-speed internet through a network owned and operated by local residents. It describes itself as a neutral network, meaning it does not monitor, store, or block user data or content.
Founded in 2014, NYC Mesh has grown from its first node into a citywide infrastructure project spanning the five boroughs of New York City, with strong presence in Manhattan and Brooklyn. It is not a traditional internet service provider, but it does connect households and buildings to the internet through a mesh network of routers, antennas, fiber lines, and larger “super nodes.” The group works with residents to connect apartments using rooftop antennas and cabling, and can also wire entire buildings with fiber offering speeds of 10 gigabit or more.
Beyond household connections, NYC Mesh is active in larger public-interest projects. The organisation says it is currently working with NYCHA, the New York City Housing Authority, and HPD, the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, on multiple large projects. Its public updates also point to software and operations work, including member database development and network administration, alongside volunteer coordination and community support.
NYC Mesh reflects a broader movement in urban internet access: a locally controlled alternative to commercial telecom providers, built around affordability, participation, and infrastructure shared by its users.