Hacking Iraq: The Rise Of Hajjinets

Soliders in Iraq lack many of the most basic amenities, including Internet access, because there are only 6 to 12 computers for every 1,000 troops. So enterprising soliders have set up their own "Hajjinets," troop-owned ISPs on just about every base in the country. LocalList has an excellent article describing exactly how they work. Soldiers buy Internet access from international satellite providers, get a satellite dish, then cobble together a network from spare parts --- and chewing gum, it seems.

Typical Hajjinets are made up of about 20 to 30 soldiers per base, although some have 300 or more people involved. Fees vary, but often are $100 for setup, and then $60 or more per month for nearly unlimited access. They're not-for-profit.

Thanks to the Hajjinets, soliders are no longer confined to 10 to 15 minutes per day of Internet use at "Morale Welfare Recreation Cafes" (the official military name for Internet cafes).

Those who run Hajjinets even have their own Web site, http://www.hajjinet.com, that offers advice on how to get one up and running, and how to keep it running.

Think you have problems keeping your network up and running? At least you don't have to contend with tanks running over your cables, and you don't have to limit wireless access for fear of insurgents listening in.