AirCell is the leader in global airborne communications and its products are found in many commercial airplanes. In 2006 AirCell won the FCC’s exclusive broadband frequency license which gives them a unque air-to-ground network, making in-flight high-speed broadband service is possible.

American Airlines is very excited about this possibility and says that its customers list broadband access as one of their top wishes for future flights.

The Whisher beta software is available for download and can operate with most, if not all, Wi-Fi routers or access points. Users must register their Wi-Fi network and to do so, they would need to disclose its name, physical address, and WEP or WPA encryption key (Whisher demands that networks be encrypted), which will go to a database containing information of other Whisher members’ networks. Through the database, Whisher members can locate and log on to each other’s networks for free but they need not worry that other members will see their key since this is only known by the software. Beware, however, of the possibility of network slowdown because controlling the volume of of wireless bandwidth used by Whisher members is impossible.

FON is another option. Unlike Whisher, sharing WiFi through FON is not for free — you need to buy the La Fonera router, which is sold for $40 or half the price if referred by existing FON members — but you can limit the amount of bandwidth use. Plus, you may earn a few bucks since FON allows users to impose a $3 daily fee or $10 for five days for network use, though you can only get less than half of that, after deducting FON’s share and Paypal’s fee, on top of surrendering your free access to other FON networks.

If security is of high importance to you, then WeFi may not be your best choice. The software, which is in beta, works on non-encrypted networks, and at present, with Windows XP only.
Via [wi-fiplanet.com]

The non-profit group, OpenCape Corp was started with about $300,000 in donations from local colleges, communities and development agencies. The group is already taking steps toward its goal by installing point to point radios along the Cape and neighboring Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. These radios will form the backbone of the proposed wireless network.

OpenCape currently estimates that the commercial transport net will cost about $2 million to build while the public net will hit the $3 million mark. The commercial side is expected to generate enough revenue that it will pay for the operational costs of both sides.
Via [techworld.com]

While mapping they’ve noticed that some large areas of London seem to have free Wi-Fi services including Upper Street, Leicester Square and the residential area of Marylebone.

It is also to be noted that The Cloud, or London’s version of Muni Wi-Fi, covers the entire area but the service is only free for a month and they you have to sign up and pay a fee to receive service.
Via [londonist.com]

Authorities in other states have made similar arrests. In 2005, a Florida man was charged with a third degree felony for tapping an open WiFi network from his SUV. Last year, an Illinois resident pleaded guilty for using an unsecured WiFi network from his car while someone in Washington was apprehended for parking outside a coffee shop and using the store’s WiFi connection without buying anything. This year, a man in Alaska had a similar fate after hours of piggybacking on the public library’s wireless network to play games from his car in the parking lot.
Via [arstechnica.com]

The network is equipped by BelAir Networks’ advanced mobile broadband mesh technology, which connected 127 nodes installed in lamp posts and street signs. Over the next month, The Cloud, together with Nokia, will hold promotional activities, including free access for the first month. Aside from high speed Internet and email access, the network promises voice, music, video, gaming and other entertainment services over Wi-Fi, and can work with service providers such as O2, BT Openzone, iPass, Truphone and Skype.
Via [govtech.net]

Under the plan, AirCell promises to finish installing equipment, which weighs less than 100 pounds, on the cabin overnight. The gear will serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot and enables laptop computers and devices such as a Wi-Fi-enabled Blackberry to access the Internet. Blumenstein said passengers will pay no more than $10 per day for the service and sees partnerships with T-Mobile, iPass and Boingo. He expects speeds of the in-flight service to be similar to that on the ground. The service, however, will not allow VoIP calls except when pilots, flight attendants and air marshals need to speak with people on the ground concerning scheduling, safety and security issues.
Via [online.wsj.com]

According to Graeme Powell, MD of iBahn, knowing the costs of installing a wireless network and ensuring the quality of service is crucial in determining whether hotels are ripping off their guests. Powell said deploying a Wi-Fi network in an average-sized hotel of between 200 and 300 rooms would amount to £30,000. But in the U.K. the equation would include the build and age of the building.

Tony Walsh, development manager at hotel bookings firm LateRooms.com, argued that hotels should regard Wi-Fi access as a regular feature considering the increasing demand for the service. He conceded that setting up a wireless network would be costly, but the service would bring long-term benefits in the form of repeat bookings from Wi-Fi hungry business travelers.
Via [silicon.com]

The latest move is part of FON’s plan to expand its community of Foneros. The goal is to increase the number of its hotspots worldwide from more than 300,000 today to one million by 2010. At present, Foneros fall into three categories. “Bills”, derived from the name of Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, impose a sign-on fee of $2 for use of their networks and pay the same amount to tap other Fonero networks. “Linuses”, named after open-source Linux system architect Linus Torvalds, allow free use of their extra bandwidth to other Foneros and have unrestricted access to other Fonero networks, including Bills. Aliens or FON community outsiders, pay $2 via PayPal, an online payment service, to access any Fonero network.
Via [forbes.com]