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Internet FON Wins Backing From Google, Skype
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - February 6, 2006 4:09 AM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 4 comment(s) - last by ted61.. on Feb 7 at 12:33 AM

The Linksys WRT54G only requires a small firmware upgrade to join FON
Most people have never heard of FON -- a service that hopes to help more users have access to WiFi service around the world

A number of companies, including Google and Skype, just announced a $20M USD pledge to Fon Technology -- a company that wants to build a global Wi-Fi community that would allow members to share Wi-Fi hotspots.  Fon Technology, or just FON for short, is a combination of router firmware and software that allows Wi-Fi routers to collectively blanket the world in a priviledged network: those with the FON firmware on their routers surf for free, those who don't have to pay a small fee.

When a "Fonero" (a FON member) roams around a neighborhood where another Fonero is sharing Internet, the FON-enabled router opens up a login prompt.  The router then authenticates back to the master FON servers, and if validated, the Fonero will be able to receive wireless access to the network for free.  Any non-Fon members will have to pay a fee to use the available Wi-Fi service, with some of the profits heading towards the ISP.  Software is installed on the router and will be able to detect FON wireless signals without modifying the underlying transport protocols.   

Currently, the organization faces serious legal challenges from ISPs that do not allow users to share Internet access with others outside of the building complex or household.  AT&T, Time Warner, and Telefonica are some of the companies that Martin Varsavsky, founder of Fon, will need to woo in the future.  Varsavsky envisions FON partnering with ISPs so that subscribers will be able to set up FON hotspots without getting into trouble.  However, with backings from major players such as Skype and Google, Varsavsky certainly has a few aces up his sleeve.        

There are currently three profiles that users will be able to select when signing up with FON:  Bill, Linus, and Alien.  Since FON is still in an experimental beta phase, users will only be able to sign up with the Linus profile.  A Linus is a user that shares Wi-Fi in exchange for free access throughout the community where coverage is available.  Aliens are users that do not share Wi-Fi access with other Foneros and have to pay a fee to FON for access through an access point.  Bill users are users that instead of roaming for free, receive 50% of the fee that FON charges to alien users.

As more companies begin to back the service, it should be interesting to see if it continues to gain popularity.  If you are curious to hear more about FON, or to become a Fonero, head to the official FON web site.  Anyone with a Linksys WRT54G-series router can join FON with a simple firmware flash.  For those without such a router, FON actually has a promotion going on where Fon Technology will send you your very own FON-enabled Wi-Fi router for a mere $25.

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interesting concept
By FearaFox on 2/6/2006 8:23:03 AM , Rating: 1
but i think more needs to be done about security and logging and the like, and obviously, more routers need to be supported. If someone starts using my network and accesses something like child porn, it's going to be traced to me, it is my IP after all.

however, this is a very interesting idea, whcih can most definately fly, if enough users support it.




RE: interesting concept
By spwrozek on 2/6/2006 9:15:34 AM , Rating: 2
I agree, it would be nice to roam around town with the net all the time. There would be a reason to have a computer in a vehicle then. At the same time though I would also be worried about who is accessing the net through me and what they are looking at. Also what happens when I get 20 people on my network and can hardly surf the net?


grammar nit-picking
By UNCjigga on 2/6/2006 5:21:14 PM , Rating: 2
"need to woe" should read "need to woo"




grammar
By ted61 on 2/7/2006 12:33:25 AM , Rating: 1
I know it is an interesting article. Is it really that interesting where grammatical errors are worth pointing out. Most of us read about the concept of the article with little worries about woo or woe.

I did not notice the woo, woe or wassit you were refering too. It is good to know that you perfectionist exist in this world. I bet you even read all of your posts backwards before you submit them.




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