Fon: get behind me Google, Skype
Securing another round of financing for a startup isn't usually such a big deal, but when your product turns your
WiFi'd Internet connection into a peer-to-peer VoIP network and the companies who are putting up the cash are Google and
Skype (along with some VC firms), you look again. Fon, who's been operating fairly under the radar to date, is the
company in question getting the big cash injection, presumably for their technology which allows you to roam the
worldwide Fon network if you make your own router a node (or fonero as it were) on said network. If you're not
operating your own fonero you can get access to the Fon network, but for a price (which will supposedly be split with
the ISP). Derision for their P2P-like nature by Big Internet aside, we have a feeling with G and Skype behind them
Fon'll be able to fight the good fight, but really, more than anything else right now we'd just be worried about them
figuring out handoffs between WiFi nodes so you're not tethered to a single fonero. Well, that and uptake; it can be
hard finding people rearin' to flash the firmware on their Linksys.[Thanks, Giuppi]
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jack @ Feb 6th 2006 11:34AM
Doesn't Sprint have a copyright on the term FON?
Javaflash @ Feb 6th 2006 12:01PM
Thank you, Engadget. Thank you for being responsible. You're one of the very few news channel out there that actually get the headline right.
The piece is about FON, not Google nor Skype. Mainstream media can be so vicious on grabbing attention sometimes.
Damian Vila @ Feb 6th 2006 12:57PM
Jeez!, I hate to do this, but..
I told ya'!:
http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/10/upgrade-the-linksys-wrt54g-with-open-source-firmware/#c680257
:-P
Regards.
Vic @ Feb 6th 2006 1:19PM
Did anyone catch the $25.00 router offer? It comes pre-Fon! Got mine!
http://en.fon.com/
chrwei @ Feb 6th 2006 1:27PM
anyone else notice that the "read" link points to page 2 of the story?
Kman @ Feb 6th 2006 3:46PM
Radiuz.net has done this same "cooperative network" thing for a while now. Also, they are WPA based so don't require you to reflash your firmware - just set your 802.1x settings to talk to their RADIUS server and you're in the community.
woodentopz @ Feb 6th 2006 3:54PM
wot a great idea. the notion that they can keep the ISPs on board by saying that you must have a subscription (chez vous) before you can join (properly) is plain simple good thinking. But, round these parts (Ireland) mobile companies and fixed phone companies can sometimes be one and the same. which might inhibit their uptake, as fonero would without doubt eat into any 3G/4G/paid wifi revenues that are out there...
Chris Webster @ Feb 7th 2006 12:43PM
Am I misunderstaning the concept of Fon, or are Comcast and RCN probably like "WTF do you think you're doing with our bandwidth you freeloading bitches?!"
Seriously, isn't this illegal? This has got to break some subscription policy. If it doesn't all the broadband providers would have to do is add a line to their usage policy saying that you must state exactly who will be using this connection and only those people may. WTF? Damn, i'm 26 and starting to feel old...