Australia’s largest telecommunications company, Telstra, is hoping to use its customers’ home routers to create one of the largest networks of wireless internet hotspots in the world, news.com.au reports.
As part of the plans, the firm will provide subscription-holders with specially designed modems which, as well as offering connectivity within the confines of the home, use available spectrum to create hotspots for passes-by to connect to.
Access will be made available to members of the public in return for a small fee, which is to be charged on a daily basis. Similar to Fon, which owns the largest network of home router hotspots, those who opt in to the project and allow their routers to be used by others will be able to connect for free, but the outside usage will be deducted from their home allowances.
Telstra chief executive David Thodey spoke about the increasing importance of public connectivity. He was quoted by theguardian.com as saying: “It’s a bit innovative, it’s a bit different, and we think this is really going to provide a different way for people to communicate.
“We’re seeing this incredible usage of wireless connectivity, both in public areas, but also in areas such as stadiums, entertainment centres, restaurants. The amount of data we’re carrying on the network continues to grow at exponential rates.”
While much of the project relies on Telstra collaborating with existing home broadband customers, it is also expected to establish around 8,000 new connection points in more than 100 cities and towns across the world.
