The Personal Telco Project (or PTP) was founded by Adam Shand in November 2000 after Shand read a Slashdot article about the Consume The Net project in London.
It is a wireless community project based in Portland, Oregon. It currently has 110 wireless hotspots offering free (as in no-cost) Internet access, located at locations around Portland that include Pioneer Courthouse Square, three public parks, and several restaurants and coffee shops.
PTP is a nonprofit in the state of Oregon, and received its 501(c)(3) status (a federal tax exemption granted to charitable organizations) in early 2003.
PTP made US news in August of 2002 when their hotspot at Pioneer Courthouse Square was blocked by a for-fee hotspot at a nearby Starbucks coffee shop. The problem was resolved amicably when the for-fee hotspot moved their connection to another channel.
On March 4, 2003, a study was published stating Portland had more wireless hotspots per capita than any other U.S. city. This was due in part to PTP's advocacy.
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