Search giant Google and Skype have teamed up with leading venture capitalists to invest in a new user-run network of WiFi hotspots. FON Technology SL, based in Madrid, was formed about four months ago and allows users to share each other's WiFi connections via special software. An interesting concept as it could significantly increase the footprint of WiFi in a short amount of time, assuming people have WiFi in desirable locations. But as one analyst points out, FON faces competition from free WiFi in public hotspots and the potential unhappiness of broadband providers, some of which prohibit the sharing of connections in that manner.
For more on the global WiFi effort:
- read this BBC article [1]
PLUS: Research predictions of wireless tech industry. Article [2]
Links:
[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4686914.stm
[2] http://telecom.tekrati.com/research/news.asp?id=6453