NetStumbler

Fon’s New Friend – Time Warner Cable

Kristin Abraham — Tue, 01 May 2007 13:16:31 +0000

Is a Fon subscription right for you? Fon is a start-up wireless broadband network that uses other people’s bandwidth to get its clients online. Currently many people use someone else’s open WiFi network to get online, a practice that is generally a violation of the subscriber’s service contract. But that may soon change. Time Warner Cable has signed a deal with Fon that lets its user share their unused bandwidth with Fon customers. Meaning that Fon customers can now use these WiFi services worldwide and, in some cases, the ISP and subscriber will see a small profit for sharing.
Via [forbes.com]

BT Keeps Quiet On Wi-Fi Sharing Talks

Eliza Villarino — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:26:00 +0000

BT is keeping mum on rumors it is having secret negotiations with FON. The company said it wants to expand its Wi-Fi coverage but it has no deal with the Spanish Wi-Fi sharing network at the moment. According to Reuters, however, the two firms are holding talks with each other. Many ISPs, including BT, have been dissuading people from using FON, which allows its subscribers to share wireless Internet access with each other.
Via [news.zdnet.co.uk]

Taking Wi-Fi Power To The People

Eliza Villarino — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 07:02:00 +0000

FON has offered free WiFi routers in San Francisco and plans to do the same in New York later this year. During the “Freedom” events, the Spanish start-up would distribute its La Fonera, a newly-released device that supports 802.11g technology and allows broadband subscribers to share bandwidth with WiFi users. La Fonera complements FON’s software and is easily installed. Outside the promotional campaigns, the device is sold for $5 through the company’s website.
Via [news.com.com]

Wi-Fi Service Breaches ISP Conditions

Eliza Villarino — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:22:00 +0000

Fon.com’s WiFi routers are apparently in violation of the conditions of seven of U.K.’s top 10 Internet service providers. The company’s routers enable sharing of broadband connections with third parties, which is allowed by Blueyonder from Telewest and Orange Broadband. But others like BT, NTL and Tiscali prohibit connection sharing while AOL would only permit that if the access is sold.
Via [out-law.com]