opennet

Opennet is a term used in technology and communications to describe networks designed to be open, interoperable, and accessible to a wide range of users and devices. It is not a single organization or product; rather, it refers to a family of initiatives that promote openness in network design, governance, and operation. Opennet projects typically aim to lower barriers to entry, encourage participation from diverse stakeholders, and rely on publicly documented interfaces and open-source software.

Common characteristics include open standards and documentation, permissive licenses for software and hardware, non-discriminatory access to network resources, and governance structures that involve communities or multi-stakeholder groups rather than centralized control. Technologies often associated with opennet include standard Internet protocols implemented on open-source stacks, as well as mesh networking, open routing protocols, and open firmware or hardware designs in some deployments.

Applications range from community wireless mesh networks that extend broadband to underserved areas, to open-access internet initiatives, to research testbeds and academic collaborations that share software and data openly. Opennet can face challenges around financing, regulatory compliance, security, and maintaining true openness while protecting user privacy and system integrity.

Because "opennet" is used by different groups with varying scopes, its meaning can differ by context. See also open internet, open standards, mesh networking, and community networks.