FON is currently dealing with european ISPs, to allow its service running.
The FON Wikipedia page lists the ISPs that allow FON service and the ISPs that don’t.
The next stage is to deal with ISPs so that they embed directly FON technology in their modem-routers.
In France, I bet Free Telecom (2nd ISP in France with 17% marketshare) could be FON’s first partner and embed the software within its brand new FreeBox HD (2 separate elements : 1 modem-router, (PC connected) and 1 media Center).
Makes a lot of sense for both companies :
1°) for Free :
- to take the advantage of the highly viral concept of internet sharing brought by Fon. Freenauts are not alone anymore : they become Freefoneros while open ing their laptops in Paris and catch a Freebox signal.
- to take advantage of Fon technology embedded in laptops
- to be the first ISP to deal with FON (even if Fon could knock 9Telecom’s door as well)
- to densify their WiMax network (which makes more sense in rural areas)
2°) for FON
- to adress 4,650 Millions Freenauts (april 2006)
- to take advantage of Free’s distribution channel and the "ready to use" Freebox HD (it is still a bit complicated for the mass market to configure a Linksys)
- to take advantage of Free’s telephony services (telephony is not FON’s core business).
Business model ? Revenue sharing. Read the ISP page in FON’s website
"FON will share the revenues generated each time an Alien accesses the Internet through the FON Community with the different ISPs with whom we are reaching collaboration agreements."I still don’t know who, between FON and Free will deliver the GSM-Wifi phone
I see a lot of forthcoming synergies between Wireless Access Providers (WAPs) (sponsored by Google to deliver ads in mobility) and Home Access Providers.
Update (25/04/2006): 1st partnership announced (fr) with 9telecom, 3rd ISP in France(after Free and France Telecom). The press release says it is an exclusive deal, i wouldn’t be surprised to read another anouncement with 1 or 2 other ISPs… The video should be coming on Fon French Blog.
Congrats Jean-Bernard !
avril 24th, 2006 at 17:21
Mon FON à moi…
Petite Introduction à FON : FON est une communauté qui partage son Wi-Fi. Partagez votre haut débit grâce au Wi-Fi à la maison ou au travail, et profitez du Wi-Fi partout sur la planète ! FON, partager un peu,
avril 25th, 2006 at 1:31
I don’t fully understand the concept of FON. Has anyone ever succeeded in connecting to the net through the WiFi router of his neighbour? (when the access is not protected of course) It’s slow, it’s tedious, it’s all but comfortable. Even through the walls of one’s own house it’s sometimes difficult!
But since FON’s founders are not stupid, there must be something… Maybe the whole concept relies on MIMO modem-routers, as the one proposed by Free? (MIMO technology ‘theoretically’ improves the quality of the link). But in this case the laptop must also embed a MIMO WiFi modem, which is far from an easy story (3 big antennas, regularly spaced.. hmmm…) I am curious to see how it will work in real.
avril 25th, 2006 at 16:35
Well, Olivier, it seems like Neuf Cegetel is the first one to publicly announce a deal with Fon.
Do you still think that Free/Fon (Fron ?) will work together ?
avril 25th, 2006 at 16:42
Accord Neuf Cegetel / Fon pour le Wifi
Autre volet de l’offre : le quadriplay, ou l’ajout de la t
avril 26th, 2006 at 0:16
Thanks Kermess and Thomas.
>Kermess: totally agree with your argument about MIMO. A telephone with 3 antennas ?
What is the real coverage of a personal FON-ready router?
It makes sense only if it is placed in front of a window (is your PC near a window ?).
Another point : i don’t see clearly FON’s business model : Alien’s phone calls ? I can hardly believe it. 9T and Free will maybe take advantage of FON buzz with little risk. Where are the FON’fees? Google Ads ?
avril 28th, 2006 at 13:17
That’s great news. I didn’t know anything about it.
free.fr and fon rule!!
avril 28th, 2006 at 14:08
nothing has been announced with Free.fr
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juillet 21st, 2006 at 14:46
tu as quoi contre FREE ???