Fon

At 14:12 -0800 2/12/06, Andrew Moller wrote:

>In return for sharing your internet connection, via the public
>network, you get access to other Fon users' public Wi-Fi for free.
>
>Fon are in cahoots with Skype to support Wi-Fi enabled phones.

Skype are investors in Fon - this was covered by Glenn Fleishmann in
WifiWirelessNews earlier in the week.

>There are coverage maps here:
><http://maps.fon.com/> (use Firefox).
>I was surprised to see so many shared access points in central London.

They also have a, apparently out of date, list of Fon friendly ISPs.
Depending on your ISP contract you may not be allowed to share your
connection.

You also have to consider the liability of allow strangers to use your
network to download or distribute unpopular material.

        f

On Dec 2, 2006, at 5:12 PM, Andrew Moller wrote:

> Does anyone have any experience of, or views on, Fon?
> <http://en.fon.com/info/whats_fon.php>
>
> It's an intriguing idea.

It is an intriguing idea, but one that is likely to be in violation
of most broadband provider's user agreement. For example, Optimum
Online's service agreements explicitly states:

"Users may not resell, share, or otherwise distribute the Service or
any portion thereof to any third party without the written consent of
Cablevision. For example, Subscriber may not provide Internet access
to others through a dial up connection, wireless access or host shell
accounts over the Internet, provide e-mail or news service, or send a
news feed."

Moreover, it also states that:

"Subscriber acknowledges that by "clicking" the Acceptance icon below
and/or by using the Optimum Online Service, Subscriber is agreeing to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement on behalf of all persons
who use the Optimum Online Service or the Services through
Subscriber's Computer."

Which implies that if a Fon user using your connection engaged in
"unacceptable" activity it would make you liable under this agreement.

Of course, it isn't clear that the service provider can do much more
than terminate your service, but that risk alone is a sufficient
deterrent at least for me. Though judging by the number of people
already sharing their home connections around where I am (greater
NYC), it appears that not a lot of people are that concerned about
their service providers coming after them.

Tomoharu