Sonic.Net aiming to provide another WiFi option for San Franciscans

For those paying attention, you'd know that betting the farm on San Francisco's muni WiFi project ever coming together wouldn't exactly be the best move, but it appears that Sonic.Net is stepping in to provide an alternative. The California-based ISP has reportedly conjured up an initiative to bring an ad-supported MuniFi model to San Franciscans, and would utilize hardware from Meraki. Apparently, Sonic.Net customers can snag a Meraki wireless mesh router "at a subsidized cost," which would enable them to share "up to 500kbps" of their DSL line. Users of the service will spot a Google ad bar atop their browser, and there's even mention of ad revenues being shared with customers in order to reduce their monthly bill in the future. Notably, the platform could even expand to "other areas" outside of SF if it proves successful.

[JAU (just another user) @ Sep 3rd 2007 10:27AM]

FON anyone?
(www.fon.com)

[dane @ Sep 3rd 2007 1:16PM]

There are two key differences between this effort and FON:

Because this project is sponsored by the ISP, end-users won't find themselves under investigation for bad acts by WiFi users. This could prevent a visit from the US Secret Service, FBI, etc. Sonic.net is able to see where the abuse occurred, and to point the authorities toward the wireless user, not the customer.

The Meraki hardware builds a mesh, automatically. This means that additional nearby client devices cause the network to grow. A neighbor uses one to hook up a PC via it's Ethernet, for example, and that device also repeats the WiFi. This allows for broad coverage and roaming.

In San Francisco, where no one has pole top access, there isn't likely to be a huge amount of meshing going on beyond customer households (use a second Meraki to fill in any WiFi black holes in the house!) and perhaps a neighbor or two. However, in other communities where Sonic.net has pole top rights, it could be a big deal. Outdoor Meraki on street lights will repeat the signal, with the DSL line acting as the Internet gateway. There is one square mile in Santa Rosa that will shortly be covered in this way.

[iliarules @ Sep 3rd 2007 12:23PM]

So they want people to buy hardware... so that they can share their DSL with people, while the company profits from the ads? Where is the benefit for the people doing the sharing?

[dane @ Sep 3rd 2007 12:52PM]

Customers pay for half of the hardware, and get half of the ad revenue. The idea is to reduce their monthly broadband bill with this as a credit.

[seth brundle @ Sep 3rd 2007 1:22PM]

Sounds really interesting.

I have used Sonic.net as my ISP and colo since they were a 3-man operation back in the early nineties, their customer support rocks. When you call their support line they answer fast and they actually know wtf you are talking about rather then a clueless seat warmer with a bunch of Q&A scripts.

[Robet Funaro @ Nov 17th 2007 3:55PM]

I agree! Not entirely on topic, but as a customer of Sonic.net I'll say they're the only company I don't mind calling on the phone. The more they have their hands in, the better for me and anyone who values service in this self-serve world.