WiFi is a technology that allows you to connect to the Internet without using cables. To do so, you need to have a WiFi enabled device like a personal computer, laptop or other WiFi gadget ((phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, or game consoles). Next, there must be a WiFi router within the range of your WiFi device that can send the WiFi signal to your device so you can connect to the Internet. With WiFi, for example, you can get Internet access throughout your home or even in your terrace or garden.

This is network allows all FON City citizens and visitors to have easy access to the Internet throughout the city.

It is built by all of us, completely voluntarily, by pooling and sharing our resources to build a city wide network of WiFi coverage. In other words, it is a participatory model where the citizens can collaborate in benefiting each other.

The network is based on the very simple idea that if each one of us shares a little of our broadband Internet connection with others through WiFi, then we will also be able to receive the generosity of others’ Internet connection. Thus, as we share and receive, we are building more expansive WiFi coverage to more locations at almost no cost.

FON is the world’s largest WiFi community with round about 400.000 members worldwide. Its members, Foneros, share some of their internet connection at home with other members of the Community, and in exchange, connect for free anywhere in the world where there is another Fonero sharing. FON also uses the La Fonera, its state-of-the-art WiFi router to make sharing easy and safe. FON’s compact WiFi router makes sharing safe by a private and a public signal that are seperated through a firewall. The first private one is for the owner’s own individual use while the second one is for other FON users. With your La Fonera you can personalise your own FONspot Access Portal with messages, videos and pictures to show any visitor, keep track of your WiFi travels worldwide and follow up who’s connecting to your FONspot at any time. Once you have installed the La Fonera at home, you then receive free access to all of the FON’s access points, called FONspots, around the world. This means that when you go to Madrid (out Head Quater), Berlin, New York, Paris or Tokyo, you can access the Internet thanks to other Foneros like you who share WiFi. Check out the FON Maps. More thhan 150,000 FONspots worldwide wait for you.

If you do not become a FON member, you can still access the Internet through FONspots. If you use FON WiFi only occasionally, then you can access FONspot for only €3 per day by purchasing a FON Day Pass. This is simple and great to find out more on the freedopm of mobile internet.
 

It all depends on how you want to participate. The price depends on you. FON is not completely free, but it is the best alternative to all of the other expensive services on the market. If you decide to become a FON member and share WiFi, then you will receive WiFi for free every time you access the FONspot of another Fonero. But, first, you will to have Internet access at home from a broadband provider and will need a La Fonera WiFi Router. You may purchase a La Fonera at the FON Shop or on partner pages for €39.95 RRP.

A mentioned above, if you do not wish to become a FON member, you can still access any FONspot for only €3 per day.

Alternatives for WiFi services in your city can be ridiculous expensive. It costs approximately $150,000 US per square mile over 5 years to offer the same coverage. Politicians and taxpayers are simply not willing to pay for thses costs - and they dont have to. With FON, there is no need for centralized planning or development, and the citizens organically create the network. FON offers an approach that is developed and operated by and for the citizens. For the FON City Initiative, FON offers up to 5000 FON WiFi routers for free. Apply now!

The FON City is a member of this Citizen Network and plays the following role:
• Promotes the project and is one of the network’s most enthusiastic members.
• Makes important efforts in providing technical support.
• Provides more access points than any other member of the Network, in places like museums, civic centers, city squares, etc.).

Visit FON's webpage or contact us directly. In addition, FON also offers a online FAQ with questions and answers.

FON cooperates with towns and communities to provide their citizens (see here) and visitors with low-priced WiFi Internet access. By using this citizen generated infrastructure, we are creating the WiFi planet together with you!

Would you like your city to be ready for the Internet era? Do your citizens know about the importance of modern communications systems? Apply here!

FON would like to actively support European cities to bring free WiFi to their citizens. FON will provides up to 5000 state-of-the-art “La Fonera” WiFi routers for free to cities and municipalities. These WiFi routers need to be connected to already existing DSL or cable internet. Furthermore, the La Fonera is the safest way to share WiFi.

According to an extensive survey done by the European Union, more and more people use Internet WiFi services every day. Internet users want fast, cheap and secure access to information technology everywhere they go - not only for their laptops, but also for WiFi enabled devices and gadgets such as games, voice, email, television and cameras. With FON, users can do all their favorite online activities anywhere they go. As an increasing number of devices become WiFi enabled, people want instant access to all of their files, videos, music and photos, on demand at any place in the world and at any time of the day.