"Intel has developed technology to send WiFi up to 60 miles! I read the article in Technology Review and immediately thought it was too good to be true. I hope I'm wrong! According to the story the technology is node to node, directional, moves up to 6.5 mbps, and requires very little power (think solar). There are some limitations. In real world testing it's useful to about 30 miles with a direct line of sight. There are more details in the video. With an estimated cost of $1000.00 this development could help bring technology to more rural areas soon."
http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20432/?a=f
http://blogs.intel.com/research/2008/03/rural_connectivity_platform_be.php
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
FON keeps changing prices
Don't know what made me visit the FON Shop, but when I did I discovered a few price adjustments.
1) Now you can add a Fontenna for only $9.95 with the purchase of La Fonera or La Fonera +
2) La Fonera is now $29.95
3) Fonero Gets Fonero price for La Fontenna raised too
4) Seems like they raised the price of shipping from $5 to $10 for non-FGF purchases.
Fon was offering La Fontenna for only $2 more, so for those who took advantage of the 90% discount, it was worth it. For those who missed out, think carefully before buying a Fontenna (it's better to spend the money on a high quality antenna, with a decent gain)
1) Now you can add a Fontenna for only $9.95 with the purchase of La Fonera or La Fonera +
2) La Fonera is now $29.95
3) Fonero Gets Fonero price for La Fontenna raised too
4) Seems like they raised the price of shipping from $5 to $10 for non-FGF purchases.
Fon was offering La Fontenna for only $2 more, so for those who took advantage of the 90% discount, it was worth it. For those who missed out, think carefully before buying a Fontenna (it's better to spend the money on a high quality antenna, with a decent gain)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Unlimited access to GMAIL and other Google services at all Fonspots
First FON offered aliens 15 minutes of free internet access by "watching" an advertisement and now they can get unlimited access to gmail and all other google services, but once they step outside of google they will be out of luck. They will have to wait until tomorrow for another free 15 minute pass, purchase a $3 day pass, or purchase a Fonera.
http://blog.fon.com/en/archive/general/gmail-and-fon.html
As an experiment in Fon we have opened Gmail access in all foneras. We have done this for a while now but we are now promoting this feature. This means that regardless of whether you are a fonero or not (foneros are members of the Fon community who share WiFi) when you find a Fonspot you can check your Gmail. You can also check any Google service including search, maps, news, and so long as you stay inside Google you can surf for free. We are doing this for three reasons. One to thank Google as an investor in Fon. Secondly because at Fon we all use many Google services and so do millions of people around the world and we appreciate the quick access. Third and most important for Fon, because since we opened the 15 minute free access on all Fonspots we have seen that many more people use Fon and even if they are not WiFi donors (foneros) they pay for Fon (buy day passses as Aliens). There was a debate at Fon on whether if we gave free access we would sell more or less passes to Aliens but now the answer is clear. We sell more passes because Aliens now know the service works well before they pay.
We believe that Gmail users will love the fact that Fon lets them check their email without paying or donating. And we think that this will encourage people to become Foneros as most people who use gmail also do many other things, like go to Microsoft sites, or Yahoo, or big local portals like Terra, or Facebok and other social communities and all the other wonderful things that the net has to offer. To do that they will either have to become Foneros by buying a Fonera or buy an Alien day pass. In any way Fon will grow faster.
Fon is always free for those who share so those who share will not be affected. Fon also protects those who share in two ways, one is with a firewall and encrypted personal access so nobody from the outside can enter their network and secondly with a bandwidth throttle that limits those who use their fonera to a small portion of their bandwidth.
To become a Fonero all you need to do is buy a Fon router at our online shop, connect it and never pay again when you connect away from home. If you would like to know if there are any foneros in your city you can go to our maps.
http://english.martinvarsavsky.nethttp://blog.fon.com/en/archive/general/gmail-and-fon.html
Monday, March 10, 2008
Panasonic’s Skype WiFi phone is now FON friendly
Finally a new wifi phone can be used on FON hotspots. First it was the SMC WSKP100 (see skype.com and fon.com for more details) and now the Panasonic KX-WP800 (I think, there is a lack in details about the phone, this post will be updated when more information is known about it) I'm interested in seeing how the phone performs because I have read about the SMC phone and it doesn't seem like a quality phone (search to internet and the FON boards for reviews), but for now we will just have to wait. From what I have read the phone will be about $290 and should be available sometime around the end of the month.
http://blog.fon.com/en/archive/gadgets/panasonic-fonenabled-skype-wifi-phone.html
http://english.martinvarsavsky.net/fon/panasonics-skype-wifi-phone-is-now-fon-friendly.html
FON Japan has helped Panasonic to FON-enable its latest Skype WiFi phone set, making it possible for its users to easily connect to any FON Spot and call for free or very low rates using Skype.
The phone is on sale in Japan and comes with a WiFi router to use at home. But what is more interesting for Foneros is that it can be conveniently used as a Skype phone even outside your home as it automatically connects to any FON signal when one is detected. Users enter their FON login and password during the initial configuration and the phone will store them to easily connect to any FON Spot.
Foneros living in Tokyo, where we recently reached 80% coverage, should be particularly interested as the combination of this nice WiFi device and FON could help them save a lot when calling outside of their homes. Bring your Skype phone with you and make free calls connecting to any FON Spot in Tokyo, including 2.200 Livedoor access points in great locations.
http://blog.fon.com/en/archive/gadgets/panasonic-fonenabled-skype-wifi-phone.html
http://english.martinvarsavsky.net/fon/panasonics-skype-wifi-phone-is-now-fon-friendly.html
Friday, February 29, 2008
"FON Hopes to Break WiFi Free of Fees"
Interesting little article, but if you ask me it lacks any real information about FON. (I picked through and quoted the main points, overall the article says a whole lot of nothing and would also like to know where this information came from.)
http://www.usnews.com/
"AT&T recently announced it would give free WiFi access to many Starbucks customers at the coffee stores. But efforts to blanket whole cities have stumbled as costs and technical challenges overwhelm municipal governments and their partners. A crushing blow came when EarthLink said it was abandoning plans to spread a wireless network across a number of metropolitan areas."
"FON has the backing of Google, Skype, and other investors that envision a free, worldwide wireless network that can compete with cellphone companies and other providers. FON has had greater success overseas, getting 80 percent coverage or better in cities like Tokyo, Berlin, and Leipzig, Germany."
"FON, for example, recently decided to target the Castro district in San Francisco. The effort mirrors one in a predominantly gay neighborhood in Madrid, Rees says. "We've found gay neighborhoods have a strong sense of community and a high adoption of technology.""
"FON execs say they welcome the expanded access to WiFi, although many FON routers in this country were aimed at Starbucks stores. Those routers would typically charge for access at a rate cheaper than what Starbucks offered, with the hotspot owner sharing revenue with FON. Those FON participants who charge for access, sharing revenue with the network, are a minority. Most of the router owners offer free access. FON hopes to eventually make money from advertising on those routers."
"Here, it's been lucky to get the explicit blessing of Time Warner that its cable modem customers could share their access. Sharing broadband is expressly forbidden in many end-user contracts. FON's Rees says no Internet service provider has yet complained about customers sharing access, but FON wants more explicit support from other U.S. broadband companies."
"Communities might encourage a patchwork of smaller networks as efforts falter to build giant, citywide WiFi systems. Rees argues that a patchwork is more sustainable in the long run. But that also suggests a long, laborious process that will keep most WiFi in chains for a while."
http://www.usnews.com/
"AT&T recently announced it would give free WiFi access to many Starbucks customers at the coffee stores. But efforts to blanket whole cities have stumbled as costs and technical challenges overwhelm municipal governments and their partners. A crushing blow came when EarthLink said it was abandoning plans to spread a wireless network across a number of metropolitan areas."
"FON has the backing of Google, Skype, and other investors that envision a free, worldwide wireless network that can compete with cellphone companies and other providers. FON has had greater success overseas, getting 80 percent coverage or better in cities like Tokyo, Berlin, and Leipzig, Germany."
"FON, for example, recently decided to target the Castro district in San Francisco. The effort mirrors one in a predominantly gay neighborhood in Madrid, Rees says. "We've found gay neighborhoods have a strong sense of community and a high adoption of technology.""
"FON execs say they welcome the expanded access to WiFi, although many FON routers in this country were aimed at Starbucks stores. Those routers would typically charge for access at a rate cheaper than what Starbucks offered, with the hotspot owner sharing revenue with FON. Those FON participants who charge for access, sharing revenue with the network, are a minority. Most of the router owners offer free access. FON hopes to eventually make money from advertising on those routers."
"Here, it's been lucky to get the explicit blessing of Time Warner that its cable modem customers could share their access. Sharing broadband is expressly forbidden in many end-user contracts. FON's Rees says no Internet service provider has yet complained about customers sharing access, but FON wants more explicit support from other U.S. broadband companies."
"Communities might encourage a patchwork of smaller networks as efforts falter to build giant, citywide WiFi systems. Rees argues that a patchwork is more sustainable in the long run. But that also suggests a long, laborious process that will keep most WiFi in chains for a while."
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
FON For Dummies
(I'm borrowing the idea for this from El Fon Blog, but he makes a good point on how there seems to be a lack in knowledge and a confusion in terms and I can't quite figure out why. I still think that this is something that needs to be gone over, because even I learned something from this. I intend for this guide to be a one stop information source for everything FON.)
So now I give you: FON For Dummies
FON Community: Group of members registered with FON and with a functioning access point that becomes a FON Hotspot.
Martin Varsavsky: Founder and CEO of FON.
Fonero: A Linus or Bill member of the FON Community.
Linus (es): A registered user of FON that shares bandwidth with the FON Community in exchange for free connection to any FON Hotspot.
Bill(s): Someone who shares their WiFi at home or business andd make money from their WiFi. They get a %50 share of the money that Aliens pay to access the Community through their FON Access Point. Bills also get free WiFi wherever they can find a FON Access Point.
Alien(s): A registered user who does not offer a FON Hotspot and who connects to the FON Community using the Hotspots of Linuses or Bills after purchasing a FON Pass. They pay $3 for a day pass or $10 for a 5 day pass pack to access the FON Community.
Leech: An "unknown" Alien/Registered user who takes advantage of the 15 minute free trial on a regular basis and will never pay for a day pass (but if your like me and have this problem, I blocked them using the FreeWLAN addons, hehehehe...)
FON Hotspot: A WiFi access point available through the FON Community.
FON Social Router: Router distributed and enabled with the FON Software.
FON Pass(es): Ticket that is purchased by an Alien in order to be able to access FON Hotspots.
Fonero Gets Fonero: Invite your friends to become Foneros as well. Now, you can: 1. Get your friends a better offer with La Fonera for only $/€5.99 + La Fontenna for only $/€1.99 (+ $/€5.00 for shipping); 2. Invite more friends – up to 20; 3. Manage your invitations, delete pending invitations and send reminders.
La Fonera : A WiFi router that plugs into your broadband Internet connection, and turns it into a WiFi Access Point. That means you can connect your laptop, handheld game console, or PDA to the Internet without any wires, so you can move around your house freely. Supports the 802.11b and 802.11g standards only.
La Fonera +: La Fonera + comes with an additional ethernet port. Now thanks to the two ports, you can share WiFi and use the router for connecting to your desktop computer. La Fonera + comes with an additional internal antenna specially designed to work with La Fontenna. It gives great indoor coverage while you can use La Fontenna to direct your WiFi signal towards other Foneros.
Both La Fonera And La Fonera+ provide 2 WiFi signals:
1. One encrypted WiFi signal that is only for your own private use (MYPLACE)
2. A second one that requires authentication and is for all other registered Foneros (FON_AP)
Don't want to purchase La Fonera or La Fonera+, you can download the FON firmware for the following routers and turn them into a FON Hotspot:
* Linksys G/GL
* Linksys GSV1-v3
* Linksys GSV4
* Buffalo WZR-RS-G54
* Buffalo WHR-G54S
* Buffalo HP-G54
La Fontenna : La Fontenna is a directional antenna that sends your FON WiFi signal further, boosting the coverage of the FON Community by up to five times and improving your WiFi experience. La Fontenna solves the problem of weak or blocked signals. By adding La Fontenna and directing it outdoors in the direction you want coverage, you'll get the coverage you want, and you'll also be making your FON Spot more accessible to your fellow Foneros nearby.
***Note: If you are a Linus or Bill, you shall check if you are permitted to share bandwidth in accordance with your ISP user agreement as you are solely responsible for compliance with the ISP´s contractual obligations.***
So now I give you: FON For Dummies
About Fon
What's Fon?
FON is the largest WiFi community in the world. FON is a community of people making WiFi universal and free. Our vision is WiFi everywhere made possible by the members of the Community, Foneros. We share some of our home Internet connection and get free access ti the Community's FON Spots worldwide!
SHARE
Our Community WiFi router, La Fonera, allows everyone to share WiFi in a secure environment. It takes only five minutes to hook up, and then you've got WiFi at home and around the world for free!
CONNECT
Foneros connect to thousands of WiFi FON Spots worldwide for free. If you still do not share your WiFi, you can purchase inexpensive access. Find FON Spots on our FON Maps.
Have FON
FON is a Movimiento of people building a free, global WiFi Community, sharing our experiences and ideas. Visit our blogs, boards and enjoy our cool features!
FON Community: Group of members registered with FON and with a functioning access point that becomes a FON Hotspot.
Fonero: A Linus or Bill member of the FON Community.
Linus (es): A registered user of FON that shares bandwidth with the FON Community in exchange for free connection to any FON Hotspot.
Bill(s): Someone who shares their WiFi at home or business andd make money from their WiFi. They get a %50 share of the money that Aliens pay to access the Community through their FON Access Point. Bills also get free WiFi wherever they can find a FON Access Point.
Alien(s): A registered user who does not offer a FON Hotspot and who connects to the FON Community using the Hotspots of Linuses or Bills after purchasing a FON Pass. They pay $3 for a day pass or $10 for a 5 day pass pack to access the FON Community.
Leech: An "unknown" Alien/Registered user who takes advantage of the 15 minute free trial on a regular basis and will never pay for a day pass (but if your like me and have this problem, I blocked them using the FreeWLAN addons, hehehehe...)
FON Hotspot: A WiFi access point available through the FON Community.
FON Social Router: Router distributed and enabled with the FON Software.
FON Pass(es): Ticket that is purchased by an Alien in order to be able to access FON Hotspots.
Fonero Gets Fonero: Invite your friends to become Foneros as well. Now, you can: 1. Get your friends a better offer with La Fonera for only $/€5.99 + La Fontenna for only $/€1.99 (+ $/€5.00 for shipping); 2. Invite more friends – up to 20; 3. Manage your invitations, delete pending invitations and send reminders.
La Fonera : A WiFi router that plugs into your broadband Internet connection, and turns it into a WiFi Access Point. That means you can connect your laptop, handheld game console, or PDA to the Internet without any wires, so you can move around your house freely. Supports the 802.11b and 802.11g standards only.
1. One encrypted WiFi signal that is only for your own private use (MYPLACE)
2. A second one that requires authentication and is for all other registered Foneros (FON_AP)
Don't want to purchase La Fonera or La Fonera+, you can download the FON firmware for the following routers and turn them into a FON Hotspot:
* Linksys G/GL
* Linksys GSV1-v3
* Linksys GSV4
* Buffalo WZR-RS-G54
* Buffalo WHR-G54S
* Buffalo HP-G54
La Fontenna : La Fontenna is a directional antenna that sends your FON WiFi signal further, boosting the coverage of the FON Community by up to five times and improving your WiFi experience. La Fontenna solves the problem of weak or blocked signals. By adding La Fontenna and directing it outdoors in the direction you want coverage, you'll get the coverage you want, and you'll also be making your FON Spot more accessible to your fellow Foneros nearby.
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