Wifi Revolution

Fon is one of the world’s largest WiFi (News - Alert) networks. The company recently announced that it has sold two million of its latest Fonera SIMPL WiFi router to Telcos. The SIMPL is a palm-sized WiFi router that is targeted towards smartphone and tablet-PC users.

SIMPL is now also available directly to end-users for around $50 making it one of the lowest priced 802.11n routers in the market. The router can be purchased directly from fon.com.

In a press release, Martin Varsavsky, Fon CEO, said, “People want to have fun on their smartphones, but are limited by 3G data restrictions. With the Fonera SIMPL, when people connect to Fon WiFi at home or on the go, they can listen to Spotify (News - Alert), stream YouTube videos, and download and install heavy applications in a way that’s fast, simple and useful, without eating up their 3G credit or straining 3G networks.”

Fon focuses on two partnership models: one is for Fixed Telcos who integrate the Fon WiFi sharing feature into their own DSL or Cable modems and the other is for Mobile Telcos who distribute Fon routers to their subscribers. For those mobile operators who are searching for ways to offload heavy data traffic from congested 3G networks, the SIMPL is an ideal choice. Fon partners with leading companies including British Telecom, MTS (News - Alert)-Comstar Russia, SFR France, SoftBank Japan and ZON Cable Portugal.

Customers who purchase the SIMPL from a mobile operator, or buy it online, will be asked to plug the router into their fixed internet connection at home or work. After completing a quick registration process, the user will have Fon WiFi access at home and on the go at over three million Fon Spots.

The new Fonera SIMPL, includes 1 WAN Ethernet port (for ADSL/Cable modem), 1 LAN Ethernet port (for PC), 1 SSID (Open, WEP, WPA, WPA2), 1 SSID (Fon network), 802.11n (150 Mbps), 802.11b/g (54 Mbps) compatible, Detachable, external antenna.

Now, Fon also offers several connection solutions for the SIMPL to assist users who want a hassle-free connection to Fon WiFi at home and on the go. Smart devices can also be easily configured to connect automatically to the public Fon WiFi signal whenever there is one within range.