fontastic.org - FON and free WiFi blog » 2007

FONs new competitor Whisher launched today January 30, 2007

We have reported on this first in October last year and today Mike Puchol and Ferran Moreno launched their free WiFi start-up Whisher (backed by Swisscom and Benchmark Capital). Whishers idea is that everyone should share their WiFi connection and be able to access Whisher APs around the world for free. But unlike FON, Whisher doesn't need you to change your routers firmware or use a special router but rather works on any computer (Linux, Mac, Windows) with any router - just download the software. Plus, you don't even have to share your bandwidth. It will still be free if you are just registered and don't have your own hotspot. It's also more about community: share files, chat and communicate with other Whishers whenever you have access to a whisher-abled hotspot.

Now this sounds all very promising and Ferran is convinced his idea would spread faster than Martins. However, while FON tries to bring ISPs on board, Whisher is clearly not adding any value for them. Cnet reports this morning that ISPs like Verizon or Time Warner Cable are not to be friendly towards WiFi sharers. "We've taken steps as a company to inform our customers that passive or active theft of our services is illegal, and people who violate these agreements can be prosecuted on a criminal and civil basis." says Maureen Huff, a spokeswoman for Time Warner Cable according to Cnet. This will be the most challenging part of Whishers new business at least here in the US.

The social aspect of Whisher might be really interesting, though. It's probably fun to see who is physically near you, to chat and exchange your thoughts, likes and dislikes (well, and files, too, of course). The huge success of social networking sites clearly show that getting in contact with people you have something in common with is an enormous part of being online if not the biggest driver at all.

We whish Whisher much success and hope competition will work in favour for the consumer.