Global wi-fi plan gets $22m boost

Heavyweight firms such as Google and internet telephony outfit Skype are to invest in an embryonic plan to share wi-fi access around the world. They have joined with venture capital firms to plough $22m (£12.6m) into Fon, a three-month-old Spanish startup. Fon, which has already attracted 3,000 subscribers, aims to build a network of broadband users to share connections wirelessly when away from home. A recent survey showed that few laptop owners use wi-fi outside their homes. According to a survey by electronics firm Toshiba, about 20% of laptop owners did not know how to use wireless functions, while 25% thought wireless existing "hotspots" were too expensive. 7 February 2006, BBC News