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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Beijing's rolling out city wide 'free' public WiFi, just hand over your phone number]]></title><link>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/beijings-rolling-out-city-wide-free-public-wifi-just-hand-ove/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/beijings-rolling-out-city-wide-free-public-wifi-just-hand-ove/</guid><comments>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/beijings-rolling-out-city-wide-free-public-wifi-just-hand-ove/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;">
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	Heads-up, locals: China's <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/clearwire-announces-deal-with-china-mobile-to-accelerate-td-lte/">Mobile</a>, <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/ChinaUnicom/">Unicom</a> and <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/17/china-telecom-re-routes-15-of-the-worlds-internet-traffic-for/">Telecom</a> carriers are building a city-wide public WiFi network across Beijing. Residents will enjoy free 2Mbps internet for up to three years, if they sign up to the "My Beijing" service. Like most things that are <em>gratis</em>, there's a catch: you have to submit your phone number in exchange for access. Privacy enthusiasts aren't thrilled at the idea, (you know, since it's backed by the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/Great+Firewall/">Government</a>), though a representative said that the numbers would only be used for "identity authentication" -- insinuating that they would only be tracing individuals whose online activity might "<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/16/china-tightens-grip-on-vpn-access-amid-pro-democracy-protests-g/">endanger social security.</a>" High-minded privacy concerns aside, there's the very real danger of phones being bombarded with spam, not to mention what happens when the three year trial period expires -- users of the service could get stung with exorbitant costs to feed a public WiFi addiction.</div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/beijings-rolling-out-city-wide-free-public-wifi-just-hand-ove/">Beijing's rolling out city wide 'free' public WiFi, just hand over your phone number</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.engadget.com">Engadget</a> on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:42:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/beijings-rolling-out-city-wide-free-public-wifi-just-hand-ove/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/forward/20097464/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/beijings-rolling-out-city-wide-free-public-wifi-just-hand-ove/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Beijing</category><category>Beijing WiFi</category><category>BeijingWifi</category><category>Big Brother</category><category>BigBrother</category><category>Censorship</category><category>Censorship in China</category><category>CensorshipInChina</category><category>China</category><category>chinese</category><category>government</category><category>Great Firewall</category><category>Great Firewall of China</category><category>GreatFirewall</category><category>GreatFirewallOfChina</category><category>muni-fi</category><category>munifi</category><category>Privacy</category><category>wifi</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Daniel Cooper]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:42:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[O2 plans free and open WiFi network across the UK, Sky picks up The Cloud]]></title><link>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/</guid><comments>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/01/walking-n97.jpg"  alt="" /></a></div>
Only a handful of <a href="http://www.engadget.com/all/muni-fi">Muni-Fi projects</a> ended in anything greater than eternal tears here in the States, but hopefully O2's up for the challenge across the pond. The UK carrier just announced its intentions to "refine the WiFi landscape" in its home nation by launching O2 WiFi, with a raft of "premium hotspots" to be rolled out and managed by key venue owners. As of now, it's hard to pinpoint who exactly will begin hosting O2's routers, but the key part is this: they'll be open for all customers to access for free, no matter which mobile or broadband provider they are with. Making no bones about who it's coming after, the operator has affirmed its intentions to "at least double the number of premium hotspots currently offered by BT Openzone and The Cloud combined by 2013," with the rollout to begin as early as today and continue for as long as it takes. 'Course, doubling up The Cloud may take a little more work given that Sky just picked it up for an undisclosed sum, but hey, we're sure every Briton in existence would <em>just love</em> to see these two duke it out for WiFi supremacy.<p><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>O2 plans free and open WiFi network across the UK, Sky picks up The Cloud</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/">O2 plans free and open WiFi network across the UK, Sky picks up The Cloud</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.engadget.com">Engadget</a> on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/forward/19817709/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/o2-plans-free-and-open-wifi-network-across-the-uk-sky-picks-up/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bskyb</category><category>BT</category><category>england</category><category>hotspot</category><category>international</category><category>internet</category><category>internet access</category><category>InternetAccess</category><category>muni fi</category><category>muni-fi</category><category>MuniFi</category><category>o2</category><category>o2 uk</category><category>O2Uk</category><category>openzone</category><category>Telefonica</category><category>the cloud</category><category>TheCloud</category><category>uk</category><category>wifi</category><category>wireless internet</category><category>WirelessInternet</category><category>wwan</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Darren Murph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:57:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Covad rejuvenates Silicon Valley muni-WiFi project]]></title><link>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/01/covad-rejuvinates-silicon-valley-muni-wifi-project/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/01/covad-rejuvinates-silicon-valley-muni-wifi-project/</guid><comments>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/01/covad-rejuvinates-silicon-valley-muni-wifi-project/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142998-pg,1/article.html"><img vspace="16" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/03/7-24-07-silicon_valley.jpg" /></a>We know, you're already <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/06/silicon-valley-to-become-one-ginormous-wifi-hotspot/">rolling your eyes</a>, but this time it's <em>really for real</em>. At least that's what Covad Communications wants us to believe. Reportedly, said outfit is jump-starting a gigantic municipal WiFi <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/24/massive-wifi-network-to-cover-37-cities-in-silicon-valley/">project</a> to blanket Silicon Valley that fell apart after upstart Azulstar failed to garner funding to kick things off in 2007. Covad is hoping to cover one square mile of downtown San Carlos, California for three months, and during the test period it will gauge just how lucrative such an initiative is. If successful, it may expand into surrounding locales, but at the moment, such an endeavor is "too much to dive into." Best of luck, Covad -- history says <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/30/san-francisco-muni-wifi-project-on-death-bed/">you'll need it</a>.<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.engadget.com/category/wireless/" rel="tag">Wireless</a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/01/covad-rejuvinates-silicon-valley-muni-wifi-project/">Covad rejuvenates Silicon Valley muni-WiFi project</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.engadget.com">Engadget</a> on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:08:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,142998-pg,1/article.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/01/covad-rejuvinates-silicon-valley-muni-wifi-project/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/forward/1128951/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/01/covad-rejuvinates-silicon-valley-muni-wifi-project/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>broadband</category><category>covad</category><category>internet</category><category>muni-fi</category><category>municipal wifi</category><category>MunicipalWifi</category><category>munifi</category><category>silicon valley</category><category>SiliconValley</category><category>wifi</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Darren Murph]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:08:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earthlink puts municipal WiFi business up for sale]]></title><link>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-puts-municipal-wifi-business-up-for-sale/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-puts-municipal-wifi-business-up-for-sale/</guid><comments>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-puts-municipal-wifi-business-up-for-sale/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9867634-7.html?part=rss&amp;subj=news&amp;tag=2547-1_3-0-20"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2006/04/5618484494982473.JPG" /></a>It looks like Earthlink was talking about plenty more than just Helio and revenue figures during its <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-ceo-says-cutting-off-helio-was-a-difficult-decision/">recent earnings call</a>, with CNET News.com now reporting that the company also dropped word that it's selling off its much-hyped and significantly-scaled-back municipal WiFi business. Of course, that news hardly comes as a bombshell given the company's <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/18/earthlink-considers-strategically-withdrawing-munifi-investmen/">recent rumblings</a> on the matter, to say nothing of its drawn out, <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/30/san-francisco-muni-wifi-project-on-death-bed/">ill-fated attempts</a> to spread its WiFi signals throughout San Francisco. Earthlink apparently hasn't found any takers just yet, however, and there's no word about how much their asking for it, but we wouldn't let that stop you from putting in an offer -- just be ready to put up with plenty of <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/municipal%20wifi/">competition</a>.<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.engadget.com/category/wireless/" rel="tag">Wireless</a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-puts-municipal-wifi-business-up-for-sale/">Earthlink puts municipal WiFi business up for sale</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.engadget.com">Engadget</a> on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:51:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9867634-7.html?part=rss&amp;subj=news&amp;tag=2547-1_3-0-20>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-puts-municipal-wifi-business-up-for-sale/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/forward/1110499/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-puts-municipal-wifi-business-up-for-sale/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>earthlink</category><category>municipal wifi</category><category>MunicipalWifi</category><category>munifi</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Donald Melanson]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:51:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earthlink considers "strategically" withdrawing MuniFi investments]]></title><link>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/18/earthlink-considers-strategically-withdrawing-munifi-investmen/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/18/earthlink-considers-strategically-withdrawing-munifi-investmen/</guid><comments>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/18/earthlink-considers-strategically-withdrawing-munifi-investmen/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&amp;STORY=/www/story/11-16-2007/0004707609&amp;EDATE="><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/11/earthlink_logo.jpg"  alt="" /></a>In a statement so laden with PR speak that it'd bring even the most heartless PR flack to the brink of wretching, <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/earthlink/">Earthlink</a>'s CEO has announced that the company is to withdraw investment in Municipal WiFi schemes unless the "model" of these networks becomes more closely aligned with Earthlink's undefined "strategy." Translation? Earthlink ain't making a big enough return on its investments in MuniFi projects, and the shareholders are getting antsy. This could leave various cities high and dry without WiFi, although Earthlink apparently won't be able to simply walk away from the contracts that they've already signed. This could be a major setback for <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/30/san-francisco-muni-wifi-project-on-death-bed/">blanket WiFi coverage</a> in cities across the US, although we doubt it'll be long before someone else picks up the baton (either that, or the cities will probably drop it.)<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/17/1220228&amp;from=rss">Slashdot</a>]<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.engadget.com/category/wireless/" rel="tag">Wireless</a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/18/earthlink-considers-strategically-withdrawing-munifi-investmen/">Earthlink considers "strategically" withdrawing MuniFi investments</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.engadget.com">Engadget</a> on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 06:02:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&amp;STORY=/www/story/11-16-2007/0004707609&amp;EDATE=>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/18/earthlink-considers-strategically-withdrawing-munifi-investmen/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/forward/1042543/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/18/earthlink-considers-strategically-withdrawing-munifi-investmen/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Earthlink</category><category>Municipal WiFi</category><category>MunicipalWifi</category><category>MuniFi</category><category>PRBS</category><category>Strategy</category><category>WiFi</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Conrad Quilty-Harper]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 18 Nov 2007 06:02:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
