The development of global wi-fi?
About three months ago, I wrote an essay entitled The Digital World Consciousness. In it, I argued that we would soon see the day when we could always be online if we chose to, and that this ability was being created through the development of region-wide wi-fi (wireless connectivity).
Now comes news of a Spain-based start-up company, Fon, that has received over $21 million in investments funds from the likes of Google and Skype. Their objective is to eventually create global (or almost global) wi-fi coverage that utilizes the personal networks people have set up in their own homes. Basically, if you have a wireless router for your home network, you can then share that bandwidth with other users who may happen to be in your proximity. At the same time, if you are traveling and have your wireless device of choice with you, you'll be able to connect to the Internet through other people's routers.
Given that this idea is supported by big companies like Google and Skype, I think we have to consider the potential of this project. There will be questions about security, of course, given that people will be making their home network bandwidth available for anyone who happens to be nearby. The people at Fon say that the service comes with a firewall to protect personal data. I guess the market will show whether the service is secure or not. If people have their secrets stolen, they won't use the service for very long.
In any event, I can see this company playing a key role in the development of global wi-fi and, consequently, the rise of the digital world consciousness. Time will tell if it becomes the most important technology of its time, or if it merely serves as a catalyst for something bigger and better to come along.
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