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.
- Posted in : free WiFi, FON, WiFi Services
- Author : admin
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Hi there,
First of all thanks a lot for keeping an eye on Whisher!
Regarding ISPs, we believe we can add a lot of value and we are already in discussions with major ones. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them decided to go ahead with Whisher (even if it’s cobranded) because in the end it’s about giving people what they want…and if you don’t cannibalize your own business, much better.
In any case and just to make it clear, Whisher will be a grass-root approach. We would love to collaborate with ISPs/WISPs but it is not a barrier for Whisher to spread.
Did Skype/Messenger/etc need the “approval” of ISPs to spread?
Best.
Hi Ferran,
first of all….CONGRATS for the new venture!!!
I tried to drop you an email yesterday to the address that I have from a previous of your posts, but…no luck getting through to you you
!!! (there must be a misspelling error or something). Don’t hesitate please to contact me, I would love to talk more about your project…this time in private (my email is pepeanguita@fontastic.org, hope spammers give me a break!!).
All the best,
Pepe
For filling in another blank spot on the google fon map send an invite to kopstubber (AT) gmail.com.
I’ll be a good Linus
Ferran, give me a call or drop me an email. I build City Wide WiFi networks. I am working on a piece of the $200 million dollar Dade County project in Florida, USA
Good luck and Kind regards!
Lazaro A. Sanchez
President
Alarius Networks LLC
http://alarius-net.com
lsanchez@alarius-net.com
407-756-7109
Of course, I have tried Whisher, why not, and of course it’s still a beta software with some crashes, but the idea seems to be really new.
I am not sure about how it works, but I think that when you register your wifi connection you send to whisher servers your encryption keys… if not, how can other whisher users access to my encrypted wifi connection without any configuration at wifi router???
As in FON project, I think that security will be one of the most important parts.
Congrats too, because I think that idea is really good.
it crashes every time i start it - –> vaporware
Karl, I invite you to try the new release, out two days after you posted this comment. And why something that crashes is vaporware escapes me, but if it makes you happy to say it, oh well…