How And Why The Mesh Came About.

It was identified that one of the main barriers to accesing digital services in Rochdale was both a lack of access to suitable devices, as well as the ability to connect to the internet for FREE!

No Worries IT Ltd and one of their community driven projects known as Heritage Hackers used innovation, driven by necessity, to connect users to civic wifi, sometimes over a mile away, by harnessing the power of radio waves using a usb wifi adaper and an empty tube of Pringles.  As Heritage Hackers was working closely with Rochdale Council around digital inclusion and innovation, our ambitions of creating a wifi mesh network became known to some of the decision makers at Rochdale Council: some of them at the time actually utilizing some of our cantennas. There's more perspective around the development of the Rochdale Mesh on the No Worries IT website: Here!

Rochdale Council in partnership with RBH have been funded by GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) to provide free high speed broadband to residents in College Bank and Lower Falinge.  Working with The Co-operative Heritage Trust and Co-operatives UK to operate the network and transmit the signal from Rochdale Pioneers Museum – any resident can access it any time of the day for work, learning, leisure and services. 

Some sites with adult content have been disabled for everyone’s safety and excessive downloading may be blocked to maintain optimum user experience. Let your friends and neighbours know about this great offer brought to you through the power of co-operation.

If you need any support or access to equipment then please contact us on 01706 926657 or email jobsandskills@rochdale.gov.uk 

This is the first phase of the rollout in your area and we will be adding information about the support and sessions planned for residents.