FON vision

FON vision

Google and eBay division Skype have invested into FON. FON has no link with the Sprint fiber optic network, but is a Spanish start-up company which turns home wireless routers into WiFi hotspots, creating a global network of shared WiFi connections. The WiFi sharers can choose either to charge and be charged for shared WiFi usage with other members. They can also stipulate how much total bandwidth is shared, and set security levels. There are three categories of users:

• Linus share free of charge their WiFi connection.

• Bills are often retailers, members of the FON network, that sell WiFi connection.

• Aliens who just pay to connect to the FON network.

The interest of Google and Skype in this concept is obvious to gain access to a worldwide network, specially for mobile telephony. FON already has a business partnership with one large Swedish Internet-service provider Glocalnet. One of the stated goals of the founder is to reach 1m installed hotspots by 2010.