FON investment - the Internet world getting strategic about access?
FON, the wireless Internet company, has raised €18 million from a Who’s Who of Internet companies and venture capitalists. The round was led by Index Ventures and other investors are Google, Skype and Sequoia Capital.
To me it seems like some major IP players putting a modest amount of money into a company that could become an Internet access alternative not dominated by telecom (fixed or mobile) or cable. Could be very interesting.
FON founder Martin Varsavsky: A dream come true
Skype: Skype invests in FON to increase Wi-Fi availability
Om Malik: Google, Skype Fund FON
Dan Gillmor (FON advisor): FON Times
SiliconBeat: FON goes for “WiFi nation” — a start-up to watch