WiFi Startup Wants to Share the Love

But rivals also want world hooked up on shared connections

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted May 25, 2008 3:16 PM CDT

(Newser) – WiFi hot spots should be anywhere and everywhere, says Martin Varsavsky. The 48-year-old Internet guru founded FON, a company that's built a WiFi network on members' shared wireless connections. Analysts say such global WiFi is only years away, but FON could still lose out; despite $55.2 million from giants like Google and BT, FON may fall to better-funded competitors.

The startup is battling two types of complex WiFi systems—WiMax and LTE—that companies like Sprint, Intel, and Comcast are fueling with billions of dollars. With only 830,000 people now registered on FON, it will have to expand massively to compete against such WiFi rivals.

FON founder and CEO Martin Varsavsky walks to Allen and Co.'s annual media conference Saturday, July 14, 2007, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

A Wi-Fi router from Belkin. (AP Photo)

A Wi-Fi router from D-Link. (AP Photo)

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WiFi Startup Wants to Share the Love

But rivals also want world hooked up on shared connections

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But rivals also want world hooked up on shared connections

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Internet • WiFi • WiMAX • FON • Martin Varsavsky • L.T.E.

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Coming Soon? Free WiFi for World's Poor

Ahumanright.org will buy, re-purpose satellite

Calif. Cafes Unplugging WiFi

Coffee shops shouldn't feel like cubicle farms, say owners

NYC Subway to Get Wireless, Cell Service

Australian company revives 3-year-old plan

India to Unveil $10 Laptop

Low-cost computer is part of plan to update nation's colleges

Research Paves Way for Better Wi-Fi in Autos

Researchers find a way to stabilize mobile internet access

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Newser By Users

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