Acording to the Gizmodo piece this is a repeater rather than a full access point.  The difference being that it really just extends the range of a ‘real’ access point.  All the packets still have to make it back to the AP and then uplink from there.

Since you’re going to loose some percentage of packets on each hop (…repeater->repeater->access point) the more hops away you get the worse your service will become.

It’s rather cool in that it is useful where you have no power such as in a remote location (Scout camp) or temporary setups.  I don’t think I’m going to run out and buy them for my neighborhood however.

Free Wi-Fi: Meraki’s Solar-powered Repeater Lets You Create Your Own Neighborhood Network – Gizmodo

This piece by George Ou starts out with a description of carrier peering arrangements and moves into the various pieces of legislation pending to regulate Internet traffic & services.  A worthwhile read by an informed party with no skin in the game.

» A rational debate on Net Neutrality | George Ou | ZDNet.com