Get a wireless router (WRT54G) for only $5

[Darth Garth]

FON, a Spanish start-up on an ambitious crusade to turn home Wi-Fi connections into wireless "hotspots" for nearby users, is set to unveil on Monday a plan to hand out 1 million wireless routers for just $5 apiece.

FON, which aims to create a network of home users and small businesses to resell wireless access to passersby, said on Sunday it will subsidize $60 Cisco (CSCO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Linksys or Buffalo routers for $5 in the United States or 5 euros in Europe.

Routers are small boxes users connect to cable or telephone Internet connections to broadcast wireless signals to nearby devices, inside a home, business or surrounding neighborhood.

http://today.reuters.com/stocks/Quo..._N25347620_RTRIDST_0_TECH-WIFI-FON.XML&rpc=66

 

[bdt]

Heh, quite the aggressive campaign they've got there tibby; only between our extortionate 'net costs and being so far away from the 'action', it's not like we'll (ever) see this kinda thing here, BFE ..*sigh*

 

[henkk78]

I posted the following comments on digg.com (http://www.digg.com/tech_news/Wi-Fi_crusader_in_$5_router_giveaway#c2073417)

I'm sure they'll be buried soon, so here they are again:

I'm not impressed with the way FON talks about how "good" it is to be a 'Linus' and asking you to share for free, while at the same time charging your neighbours $5 a day! I think that's blatant abuse of Linus Torvalds' name.

If you're interested in sharing your internet, rather use a system where you can set your own price and have full control, such as Sputnik. Also check out managed solutions such as Firstspot, 2Hotspot and Skyrove.com.

I think Fon asks to much and gives too little, that's why they need to give away practically free routers.