To help bridge the digital divide, NCF has launched the first phase of a new free community WiFi network, called CommuniFi.
CommuniFi was built with funding and additional technical support from CIRA (the Canadian Internet Registration Authority) and in partnership with Ottawa Community Housing and Hiboo Networks, a subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa.
The first phase, which launched in December 2024, included establishing the core fixed wireless network based at 251 Donald Street, one of the tallest buildings in OCH's portfolio, and providing free WiFi in the indoor and outdoor common spaces at 251 and 255 Donald St.
The second phase will connect at least 10 other community organizations as WiFi hosts in a 5km range from the antennas on top of 251 Donald Street, across Vanier, Overbrook and parts of Lowertown and Sandy Hill.
NCF is thrilled to be returning to our roots as a community network while we continue to also sell affordable home and business internet services on national networks.
We chose to start the pilot in Vanier because it faces some of the greatest social inequities in Ottawa, which are mirrored and made worse by not having reliable and affordable internet access at home or through cellphone data.
As part of our commitment to ensure everyone understands how to use the internet and feels safe online, NCF's award-winning HelpDesk of staff and volunteers offers one-on-one support and workshops for those using the network.
All network data is also anonymized and we filter for phishing, malware and botnet attacks using CIRA's DNS Firewall service.
Check out an overview of the CommuniFi project with usage updates.
