John Baeyens

FON.
You have probably read on FON’s plan to offer a combined hotspot calling and SIM card offering, by signing up deals with Mobile operators worldwide. Sorry to say so Martin, but you’ll never succeed in doing so. Because by doing so you are entering the core expertise of mobile opertors. The reasoning goes that Mobile opetators have no idea how to build a meshed WiFi network and will eventually partner up with FON. A secundary argument is the worldwide roaming FON offers you. I don’t believe the second part is really crucial; few people are true nomads requiring worldwide roaming plan.
And as to mobile operators not being able to build a WiFi network; I agree, most CEO’s of mobile operators don’t get it (yet) that a meshed WiFi network is as core as their cell network. But things are changing. British Telecom launched today a “free calling” service, offering the subscribers free wVoIP calls over the BT Openzone WiFi spots combined with a patchwork of new Wimax networks. (Mobile) operators who don’t follow suit soon won’t be able to fight back against the Skype-to-come. Have a close look what Comcast is gearing up for in the US.

The calls on the BT network will be free, but there will be a flat charge for the use of the network. BT will launch the service before the end of this year. The operations are being led by former wireless entrepeneur Ryan Javis. Yes Bart, intrapeneurship rules.
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