Welcome to our panel on using wireless broadband to connect our communities. If you are ready to declare your telecommunications independence, come and find out how to move beyond coffeehouse connectivity. Most of us complain about the poor service and high prices of the phone and cable companies. We believe that there is no real competition or alternative. The good news is: IT IS POSSIBLE to bypass the major telecommunications companies that now control both networks and content. We CAN work in our communities to set up wireless networks that are connected by national, publicly owned networks.