FON seeks to bring bandwidth riches to internet-starved masses

FON, a global wireless internet community supported by Google, wants Hong Kong residents to share their domestic local wireless networks in return for free internet access when travelling.

FON, which set up an operations base in the city last week, is building a global wireless broadband network with US$22 million backing from Google, the world's largest search engine, Skype, a leading voice-over-internet-protocol service provider, and venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures.

The company aims to capitalise on increased use in the home of short-range wireless internet technology, or WiFi, to supply high-speed internet access to personal computers and other mobile devices around the house without being tied to a cable.

Laptop users seeking an internet connection outside the home or office depend on localities such as coffee shops that offer WiFi hotspots, a service that profits telecommunications operators and internet service providers such as PCCW.

'People are bandwidth-rich at home, bandwidth-poor on the go,' said FON founder and chief executive Martin Varsavsky. 'FON community-generated wireless broadband network can help users share excess bandwidth at home, and get WiFi access where they find a FON signal.'

More than 788 FON hotspots, which have a range of about 30 metres, have been set up in Hong Kong since the service launched last week.

To be a member of FON's WiFi community, registered users require broadband internet access and a FON wireless router called La Fonera that cost HK$39 each.