FON, the pioneer of the WiFi homespot model, is fending off all its imitators, stitching together a huge global network via a growing list of carrier partners. The latest are in the Asia-Pacific region, where it has new agreements with KT in Korea and Telstra in Australia.
Despite the importance of WiFi offload to mobile carriers, in many areas it is fixed line operators which are deploying unlicensed technology to greatest effect. One of the turning points has been the emergence of the homespot, a WiFi home router which has two SSIDs, one left open for passers-by to use for broadband access (consumers who agree to this get an incentive such as lower rates or free content). The homespots are a very low cost way for broadband providers to create clouds of coverage and capacity, especially in residential areas where the hotspot model might not make sense.
Last week, Google was reported to be expanding on the model with dual-SSID routers to be installed in US small businesses, creating a potentially huge WiFi network managed from the cloud, using Ruckus Wireless’s newly announced platform.
But while others build on its example, FON continues to progress. Its KT alliance includes as global WiFi roaming deal, giving FON members free access to the Korean incumbent’s entire hotspot network. In return, selected KT subscribers can access FON’s 13m-strong global installed base when they are travelling abroad. Smartphones and other devices will connect seamlessly to selected access points in both firms’ networks.
Meanwhile Telstra ‘ always in the vanguard of new network models – has announced plans to build a national WiFi network, at a cost of over AU$100m ($92.6m). While it will build about 8,000 urban hotspots between 2015 and 2018, it will boost that figure to over two million access points via FON’s homespots.
This will create a massive community of WiFi locations offering 2Mbps download speeds on the public side, while having no impact on the user’s own broadband speeds. Fixed line Telstra subscribers will have free access to the network though downloads will count towards the quotas included in their home line contracts.