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Fon Wireless Ltd. is a for-profit company incorporated and registered in the United Kingdom that provides wireless services. Fon was founded in Madrid, Spain, in 2006, by Martín Varsavsky where it headquarters most of its operations.[1]
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Computer hardware Wi-Fi service |
Founded | 2006 |
Founder | Martín Varsavsky |
Headquarters | , |
Key people | Alex Puregger, CEO |
Products | Wi-Fi technology and Access |
Number of employees | 150 |
Website | fon |
![The entrance to Fon's bright HQ in Madrid](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Fon_HQ_Madrid.jpg/220px-Fon_HQ_Madrid.jpg)
![Fon's CEO Alex Puregger](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Alex_Puregger%2C_Fon_CEO.jpg/220px-Alex_Puregger%2C_Fon_CEO.jpg)
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/FON_WIFI_world_locations.svg/260px-FON_WIFI_world_locations.svg.png)
Fon started out by building its Wi-Fi network through devices called "foneras". Members, whom the company called "Foneros", agreed to share a part of their bandwidth as a Wi-Fi signal, so that they could connect to other members' hotspots.
As the company evolved, it shifted its focus to working with mobile operators and telecommunication providers, and expanded from deploying residential Wi-Fi to providing access and technology to carriers and service providers. Fon claims to operate a network of over 20,000,000 WiFi hotspots.
In April 2021 Fon was sold by a TV-Streaming-Technology Company, called "Agile Content" from Barcelona.[2]
Company
editFon has subsidiaries and branch offices in the United States, UK, Brazil, France, Germany and Japan. Its investors include Atomico Ventures, Google, Index Ventures, Sequoia Capital and Skype.[3]
Early years
editThe original idea of the company was to create a network for Wi-Fi access wherever customers went. To become a Fon member, users had to buy a special router called “Fonera”. With this router, they agreed to share a part of their bandwidth as a second Wi-Fi signal, in exchange for the right to use other members' Fon hotspots. To achieve this, Fon operated a system of dual access wireless networks. In 2007, Fon’s development model shifted to encompass ISPs and it began to work on creating Wifi community networks with British Telecom (BT) and SFR. In November 2007, Fon deployed its first wifi rollout, and continued using this foundation with more telco partners in the years to come.
Middle years
editSince its initial involvement with ISPs, Fon continued to expand its network through partnerships with local Internet service providers in countries such as Germany, Greece , Japan, and Brazil among others. At the same time the company has continued to expand its product portfolio as technology developed.
2016
editIn 2016 the company evolved to include premium networks such as airports, hotels, convention centers, public spaces, etc. in addition to residential networks. Fon also has a technology portfolio called to allow service providers to deliver services to their own customers.
Hardware and firmware
editOriginally Fon began with a software download for compatible routers, in particular, Linksys routers. This is custom firmware based on OpenWrt.
Fon started using the OpenWrt base as firmware base for Fon branded routers. The firmware has been customised specifically for use in the Fon Community, allowing consumers to share their broadband connection and to connect to other Fon Spots around the world.
Fon firmware creates two different Wi-Fi signals: one private and one public.[4]
- Private ('MYPLACE'): encrypted and intended for the owner's private use. Only the Fon Spot owner can access the internal network, computers and files.[citation needed]
- Public ('FON_FREE_INTERNET'): un-encrypted or open, but username and password protected so allowing only registered Fon users to access the Fon Wi-Fi community network, but they cannot access the consumer's private network.
The new 2014 Fonera SIMPL, introduced in February 2014, includes Facebook integration. The owner of the Fonera SIMPL may register their own Facebook account with the device. Once this is done, any user that is a 'Facebook Friend' of the owner is granted access to that Fonera (only).[5]
The 'Fonera Business' takes Facebook integration further by offering free WiFi to customers of a business who are asked to 'Like' the Facebook page for the business in order to gain free WiFi access.[6]
In early 2018, the Online-Shop closed: "manufacture and sale of Foneras has been discontinued".[7]
Partnerships and collaborations
editFon claims to have the largest Wi-Fi network in the world, with over 20 million hotspots as at June 2016.[8][9]
BT (UK)
editBT Group (formerly known as British Telecom) and Fon formed a partnership on 4 October 2007. They jointly created the BT-Fon Community by flashing Fon's software on all BT Total Broadband WiFi routers in the UK. This allowed BT Total Broadband customers to participate in the Fon community without buying a Fonera router and in some cases without sharing their own WiFi.
In June 2020 Fon's access to the BT WiFi network ended. No notification was given by either Fon nor BT (other than BT mentioning beforehand, the SSID "BT WiFi with Fon" would be changing to "BTwifi" (now: EE WiFi), but without informing the date of the change not that it would end access). On the day of the change all access points from BT disappeared from the map on the Fon app.
SFR (France)
editIn 2007[10] Fon and SFR launched Fon on WiFi routers throughout France. SFR subscribers can opt into Fon to share and receive WiFi services. The Partnership ended 1.May 2023[11].
NOS (Portugal)
editThe partnership ended in March 2020. In 2008, ZON (now NOS) announced a partnership with Fon to create the largest WiFi network in Portugal. Fon technology is built into NOS WiFi routers so its subscribers become part of the Fon community automatically.
In March 11th 2020, the partnership between NOS and Fon ended. NOS discontinued the Fon service and changed the existing Fon hotspots (integrated into some of NOS WiFi routers) to its own Wifi sharing initiative NOS_Wi-Fi_Hotspots, usage of this service was only available to NOS customers. In August 13th 2021, NOS discontinued the NOS_Wifi service stating it wasn't possible to continue to offer the service, given that the new generation of Routers can't support the functionality.[12][13]
SoftBank (Japan)
editSoftBank was Fon's first collaboration with a mobile line operator wanting to offload data traffic to WiFi. Since 2010, SoftBank bundles a Fonera with every iPhone they sell. On 1th February 2021 all from SoftBank distributed and sold Fonera-routers switched FON-Wifi off.[14]
Oi (Brazil)
editOn 31 October 2011[15] Oi announced its partnership with Fon, granting global WiFi access to its broadband customers.
Proximus (Belgium)
editFrom November 2011[16] through 2018,[17] Belgacom (now Proximus) was part of the Fon network. Proximus added Fon's WiFi-sharing technology to its residential gateway "BBox2" earlier in 2011, making it possible to broadcast two WiFi signals from a broadband internet source. Fon Membership was automatically activated (opt-out).
The partnership ended at the of year 2018. Proxiums continues with there own "Public Wifi Hotspot"-Network, which still also use the residential routers. This service is only available to Proximus customers.[18]
Netia (Poland)
editFrom 28 February 2012[19] through 2018[20] Fon was added Poland to its network, deploying over 100,000 hotspots in the first few months.
KPN (the Netherlands)
editKPN, a large telecommunications company in the Netherlands was partner from 2014[21] until 1th of August 2020.[22]
Deutsche Telekom (Germany)
editIn March 2013,[23] a partnership with Deutsche Telekom in Germany was announced. This has not been actively marketed since 2020.[24] The partnership is expected to be discontinued in 2021.[25]
Four other Telekom branches have joined the Fon network:
HT (Croatia)
editIn Spring 2013, HT and Fon announced the addition of their new partnership in Croatia.
Cosmote (Greece)
editIn February 2014,[26] Cosmote (then OTE), became the second DT company to join the Fon network.
Telekom Romania (Romania)
edit2 July 2014 marked Fon’s expansion into Romania with another DT company, Telekom Romania.
Magyar Telekom (Hungary)
editOn 5 April 2016[27] Hungary became the 17th country to join the Fon network, and the 5th DT subsidiary to become a partner. On the 1st of September 2020,[28] Telekom discontinued the service in Hungary.
MWEB ADSL (South Africa)
editIn February 2014,[29] MWEB joined the Fon network. MWEB customers that have a Fon enabled router can share their WiFi Bandwidth and also use those of other Fon users in the countries and locations that Fon have partners. End of Partnership in 2018.[30]
Telstra (Australia)
editOn 20 May 2014[31] Telstra announced its collaboration with Fon. On 30 June 2015 Telstra Air was launched, granting home broadband users access to the Fon network. The Partnership ended on 13 March 2021.[32][33]
Vodafone (Spain)
editFrom 22 April 2015[34] until 31March 2018[35] Vodafone Spain was into a partnership with Fon, at the same time Vodafone Italy announced their collaboration.
Vodafone (Italy)
editFrom 22 April 2015[34] until 1 April 2023[36] Vodafone Italy was partner.
Awards and recognition
edit- 2008: Awarded “Most Innovative Wireless Broadband Company” for its partnership with BT at the Wireless Broadband Innovation Awards 2008.
- 2013: “Best Next Generation Wi-Fi Device/ Application Award” at the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA)’s WiFi Industry Awards 2013 for the new “Fonera: a social WiFi router”.
- 2014: “Best WiFi Innovation Service”[37] at the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA)’s WiFi Industry Awards 2014 for the Wifi Music-Player "Gramofon".
- 2014: First European operator to be certified with as a “Premier” participant, the highest level of the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s Interoperability Compliance Program (ICP).
See also
edit- Express Wi-Fi
- Guifi.net
- Meraki
- Eduroam, a similar partnership between universities around the world. Eduroam allows students and staff from participating institutions to connect to hotspots at other participating colleges and universities.
References
edit- ^ "Fon Company Profile | Management and Employees List". Datanyze. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
- ^ "Agile Content acquires Fon to boost TV technology offer". CSI Magazine. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
- ^ "Fon - The Global WiFi Network providing WiFi access through hotspots". Fon. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Fon - The Global WiFi Network providing WiFi access through hotspots". Fon. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Geolocalization - Fon". Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ https://shop.fon.com/en/products/business-wifi[permanent dead link]
- ^ ""manufacture and sale of Foneras has been discontinued" ; I have an old Fonera. Where can I find support documentation?". Archived from the original on 2019-01-02. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
- ^ "Fon announces next generation Fonera Simpl with EAP optimized for mobile devices" (Press release). Fon. Business Wire. 26 February 2012.
- ^ "Fon - Blog to keep you updated about the WiFi ecosystem". Fon. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Automatic Access to Fon WiFi Hotspots for SFR customers". Fon. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "SFR WiFi FON". actuneuf.com (in French). 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-08-20.}}
- ^ "[Descontinuado] Alterações NOS Wi-Fi" [[Discontinued] Changes to NOS Wi-Fi] (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ "NOS Wi-Fi" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2021-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "kyanpe-n de haifu hanbaishiteita seihin no sapo-to shuuryou oyobi, komyunithi- WiFi no shuuryou no oshirase - fuxon Japan : sekai saidaikyuu no Wi - Fi sa-bisu purobaida-" キャンペーンで配布・販売していた製品の サポート終了および、コミュニティーWiFiの終了のお知らせ - フォン・ジャパン: 世界最大級のWi-Fiサービスプロバイダー [Notice of termination of support for products distributed and sold in the campaign and termination of Community WiFi] (in Japanese). 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
hoshu sapo-to shuuryou ni tomonai, kaki kisai no komyunithi- WiFi mo junzi toma nami itashimasu. ... 2021 nen 2 tsuki 1 nichi ikou junzi
保守サポート終了に伴い、下記記載のコミュニティーWiFiも順次停波いたします。 [...] 2021年2月1日以降順次 [With the end of maintenance support, the community WiFi described below will also be stopped sequentially [...] After 2021/2/1] "Sofutobanku ga teikyousuru Fon ru-ta- wo shiyoushite Wi - Fi wo riyousuru" ソフトバンクが提供するFONルーターを使用してWi-Fiを利用する [Using a FON router provided by SoftBank to use Wi-Fi] (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-08-20.komyunithi sa-bisu Fon FREE INTERNET FON FREE EAP ha, 2021 nen 2 tsuki 1 nichi tsuki ni shuuryoushimashita.
コミュニティサービス(FON FREE INTERNET / FON FREE EAP)は、2021年2月1日(月)に終了しました。 [cummunity service (FON free internet / FON free EAP) ended IN 2021/2/1 (Mon).] - ^ "Oi Releases Shared WiFi Project in Partnership with Fon". Fon. 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "Our partner Belgacom is now Proximus - Fon". Fon. 2014-09-29. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "How to surf on a hotspot?". Proximus.be. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
discontinue the cooperation with our international partner FON [...] Discontinuation of Wi-Fi hotspots abroad from 01/01/2019
- ^ "How to surf on a Public Wi-Fi hotspot? - Proximus". Retrieved 2024-08-20."How to surf on a Public Wi-Fi hotspot? - Proximus (direct access to info)". Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "Fon and Netia Announce WiFi Partnership in Poland". Fon. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "Service in Belgium and Poland". Fon. 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
- ^ "KPN and Fon Roll Out WiFi Network In The Netherlands". Fon. 2014-07-04. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "KPN ends Fon Hotspots In The Netherlands". KPN (in Dutch). 2020-04-01. Archived from the original on 2020-04-13.
- ^ "Telekom-Fon network is now being deployed in Germany! - Fon". Fon. 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "AW: Das Ende von WLAN-To-GO" (in German). 2 December 2020.
- ^ "WLAN TO GO - Kosten, Anmeldung, Sicherheit - Telekom". Archived from the original on 2021-01-20. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Fon, OTE Rolls Out a Crowdsourced WiFi Network in Greece". Fon. 2014-12-04. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "Fon Partners with Telekom to Launch Free-of-Charge WiFi Service to the World's Largest WiFi Network - Fon". Fon. 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "Igénybe tudom venni a Telekom Wi-Fi FON szolgáltatást?" (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on 2022-02-05. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
- ^ "MWEB and Fon to build South Africa's largest WiFi network". Fon. 2014-01-16. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "Mweb's Fon network is dead – MyBroadband". mybroadband.co.za. 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2024-08-20.}}
- ^ "Telstra and Fon Start Rolling Out Telstra Air". Fon. 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "Telstra Air / Fon - still a thing?". Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "Back to Square one with trying to deactivate Telst... - Telstra CrowdSupport - 940018". Archived from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ a b "Vodafone Spain and Italy will join Fon's global WiFi network". Fon. 2015-04-22. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- ^ "fin - Descomercialización WiFi" [End WiFi decommercialisation] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2018-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-20."Vodafone WiFi cierra definitivamente: adiós a _AUTO_ONOWiFi y _ONOWIFI [ Vodafone WiFi y ONO WiFi ]" [Vodafone WiFi closes for good: goodbye to _AUTO_ONOWiFi and _ONOWIFI [ Vodafone WiFi & ONO WiFi ]] (in Spanish). 2018-03-09. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
Vodafone WiFi cierra definitivamente a partir del próximo 31 de marzo en un proceso progresivo que ya está siendo comunicado a los clientes.
[Vodafone WiFi will close definitively as of 31 March in a progressive process that is being process that is already being communicated to customers.] - ^ "Vodafone Wi-Fi Community" (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "Gramofon wins "Best WiFi Innovation Service" award - Fon". Fon. 2014-10-13. Retrieved 2016-10-18.