🌐 What is Freifunk?

Freifunk is a community-driven project aimed at creating free, open, and decentralized wireless networks. It allows individuals to contribute to a shared internet infrastructure by operating Freifunk routers that form a mesh network—a network where each node connects to others dynamically, without relying on centralized infrastructure.

These routers run open-source firmware, often based on OpenWrt, which enables features like automatic peering, routing via protocols like B.A.T.M.A.N. (Better Approach To Mobile Adhoc Networking), and seamless network expansion.

The idea is simple: plug in a Freifunk router at home or work, and it will either share your internet (with clear separation from your private network) or help extend the coverage of nearby nodes. The more people participate, the stronger and more resilient the network becomes.

I’m actively contributing to Freifunk Franken, a regional group building a stable and scalable mesh infrastructure across Franconia, integrating custom routing backbones, VPN tunnels, and long-range links.

At the moment, I operate Freifunk routers at my home, the local public swimming pool, a psychology practice, and the premises of my local shooting sports club.

In the past, with the financial support of my previous employer, I also provided network coverage to two large refugee reception centers—helping over 600 people gain access to free internet during their stay.

👉 Learn more about the national initiative: freifunk.net

👉 Learn more about the regional Freifunk initiative I support: freifunk-franken.de

👉 View my active nodes here: My Active Routers