Just over a year ago I met Martin Varsavsky, the founder of a firm called Fon, a Spanish startup that was proposing I give up some of my wireless internet in return for getting free wifi from other members around the world. Nice idea - will anyone bite?" is what I thought at the time.
Today is the first anniversary of Fon, the social wifi network, and it is booming. After sending off for my own (free) wireless router from them after LeWeb3 (they were giving them away) I've been a Fonero for just over a month now.
I love it.
Over the next year I'll be traveling across a lot of Europe, part of the USA and New Zealand. In every one of the places I am going (in Europe and the US at least) there are fellow Foneros.
In return for giving up a certain proportion of my home broadband for the community (i.e. any other Fonero who wants to open their laptop and surf nearby my home) I get a loan of theirs while I'm away. I pay for wifi all year round at home - why would I pay for more when I'm in a hotel?
With hotel rates averaging out for me at around £25 ($50) a day this is a huge saving for the public purse, or mine if I'm paying. It's secure, since only other Foneros can use my connection and can be blocked out the community if they abuse it. I decide how much I'm willing to share.
Above all, I see a great way for schools to start using the power of more affluent individuals and families, even those with no direct connection to the school, to help fill in the digital divide in their communities. Barely any family will use all the broadband they possess all of the time. This is their chance to give some of that slack to the community.
Take a look on the Foneros Google Map and you'll see how many people (or not) are already doing this near you. Go on, become part of the Movimiento Fon!
Ewan are you going to TUANZ in New Zealand?? If so you should look up Allanah King my skype buddy - she is presenting a workshop at TUANZ in March and at the IT Conference in Rotorua at the end of February ( another useful contact in NZ is Jane Nicholls of the podcast ICTUCAN) - you lucky thing (I want to go!!!!)
regards Paul H
Posted by: Paul Harrington | February 07, 2007 at 07:37 AM
It's not TUANZ but ULearn07 later in the year that I am going to. If you know any potential linkups in November do let me know.
Posted by: Ewan McIntosh | February 07, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Welcome to NZ. I would love to meet up but as I am going to Rotorua in a fortnight to listen to Dave Warlick at Learning@School I don't get to go to Auckland to ULearn07- although I would love to. If you are down Nelson way we would love to show you around. Derek featured your video link on his blog down under!
http://blog.core-ed.net/derek/
Posted by: Allanah@ | February 07, 2007 at 09:16 AM
This is such a great idea. I have signed up and signed up for a free router. there are only 2500 available in the uk though. Check out the blog link on the left hand side.
Posted by: Adam Sutcliffe | February 07, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Good point about wifi for schools. Most big cities have a stark 'digital haves-digital havenots' barrier within metres of each other The more initiatives to help reduce that digital divide the better!!
If you happen to encounter Rome on your European tour, pass by Excite Europe's HQ for a coffee!
;-D
Posted by: Amanda Lorenzani | February 09, 2007 at 11:44 AM
I love Italy and know Florence, Venice the Amalfi well - but we've never stopped off in Rome. One of these days... and I would love to pass by Excite. Ciao!
Posted by: Ewan McIntosh | February 09, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Hi Ewan, I'll be presenting at uLearn 2007 also and am looking forward to meeting you. I have been reading your blog for quite a while now. Blogging is great for giving you a window into the world. As a teacher in New Zealand I really enjoy reading what is going on in the rest of the world.
Posted by: Jane Nicholls | April 01, 2007 at 04:16 AM